Silicon Valley Local Magazine - Premier Door Services

OCTOBER 2015

silicon valleylocal Your Silicon Valley Connection

M A G A Z I N E

Inc. EVERY DOOR BECOMES A BEAUTIFUL AVENUE IN YOUR BEAUTIFUL HOME!

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!

Our holiday gift items have just arrived, so let us help you fill your gift list with the best items for 2014. We hope to see you soon!

The Reininger Family Palo Alto 2

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

路

San Francisco

路

Walnut Creek

路

San Mateo

HOME OF CHAMPIONS

@GOSTANFORD w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

3

“The key here is that the members of the popular Premier League team – Tottenham ed $700,000 to help support 49ers family recognize that they have been Hotspur – and together, in one of the poorer organizations. Again, here is blessed with a special opportunity - one that districts of London, they held a collaborative mitment that helps improve is not to be taken for granted,” Joanne said. event for 100 low-income youth showcasing ducational opportunities for “The 49ers take this responsibility seriously. the PLAY 60 movement and the importance of ommunities they serve.

That is why we do what we do. Whether it getting out to play, 60 minutes a day, through wo very popular — and is a rookie or a seasoned veteran, ownership both football and soccer. It was an amazing oductive — fundraising or a 49ers alumnus, we are so very proud of day. The 49ers were the first to host such a Pasta Bowl. This has become large scale event kick-off to the new season, while playing the -season training begins. All International Series gether and literally serve game. The following le of admiring fans with year, another team nd fun. All proceeds go to repeated this warm, nity. There is also the 49ers monumental gesture.

Fest, held in March in Lake The 49ers plan to do ways sells out. It’s a fun something similar 013, the 49ers Foundation when they return to n during the weekend to London in October ea charities.

2013. the Foundation side. There The 49ers are ity Relations side. Each also very active ave one day off. Typically it in spreading the heir day off, the Community messaging of the nizes community events NFL “Play 60” an opportunity to participate Campaign to inspire events where they can children to be active e in need in the Bay Area. and keep healthy. rd game tournament Vernon Davis is the us illness at the Ronald 49ers spokesperson. building a playground in A photo of the 2014 49ers Foundation giving announcement at Levi’s Stadium One year, inspired ring incarcerated youth to by the youth’s nd more productive path and our 49ers and their authentic commitment to commitment to the campaign, he hosted a for the 49ers philanthropic transforming the lives of those in need.” team of 15 students from the 49ers Academy s always about the people Indeed, when I visited with Joanne, there who participated in a competition to write a d in our community. There was definitely an energy, a spirit that touched commercial for “Play 60.” Vernon arranged for of players who can relate to a Limo ride to a special evening held at his home everything and everyone there. It was obvious pbringings and they pour – all about helping benefit community – and with an Academy Awards Red Carpet look, plus events. FLY is a perfect infectiously and fantastically impactful. The Paparazzi and Oscar-like statues for the kids. A players and students talk TTI fun, memorable event for everyone for a life time! 49ers feel that community has done so much als.

The players inspire and h the Giants’ Another example of the tremendous player to benefit them as an organization and, as or the kids they personally participation is Joe49ers Staley who, with a librarian a result, the organization in turn is happy community visits.

50 18 The Art of Helping Foundation and proud to be able to give back to the for a mother, loves reading to elementary d, like when they have TNESS Many Where Help students and was recently A Proud Tradition community - as it has and will continue to in honored with aOn wn to train in between er perpetuity. If there were a Super Bowl Trophy national accolade for helping build literacy hey made a huge difference Is Needed And Off The Field among youth. It does make a difference. And given to the organization based on what they tal, school, and community CAL BUSINESSES do off the field, as well, no doubt the San the list of what all the 49ers do, individually, 2010, when they traveled to 49ers would be winners of that one as a Team and as an organization is a very e NFL International Series 56 Featured Companies Francisco 28BAY John A. Sobrato And NCISCO each and every year. long one. All without fanfare, but with total day off. Instead of site-

tableof contents

36

50

18 Dedicated 56 John A. Sobrato

SILICON VALLEY’S

and the FEATURED COMPANIES 28 inside: Art of from The TO WORK FOR Making a Difference

City to The State

Connecting Employers and Employees

ealth creation

ELL

motivational

The Art of Making a Difference

32 Live Conversations

OMPANIES Making A Comeback OR

To Work For

68 Health & Fitness Age Is Just A Number

74 Financial options for every

74 Meet Tim Ritchie A CONVERSATION WITH CALIFORNIA LT. GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM L COUSTEAU 36 Premier The President of

dventure

rnia Chapter

2013-2014

SFL: What whatValley’s would the Door Services, Inc.you know today, Silicon Gavin Newsom of today like to say to the young Designing beautiful gateways Tech Museum Gavin Newsom? for your beautiful home Innovation GN: I would tell myself thatOf success is not a

phase of your life

place or a destination; it’s a direction. There is no “having made it.” As Winston Churchill said 106 Dedicated 40 Fertility Preservation & Working the secret to success is moving from failure to State 5 Things You Should Know Hard For The failure with enthusiasm. Don’t be afraid to make 4 w w w. s v l o cmistakes. a l m a g . c o m Oh, and I would definitely tell myself to use less hair gel.

The Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater is the largest IMAX Dome screen in the West. It allows guests to be immersed in a giant wraparound screen for an unforgettable film experience with crystal clear images eight stories high and 13,000 watts of wrap-around digital surround sound.

106 Photos courtesy of The Tech Museum of Innovation

Reactable lets visitors experiment with a revolutionary electronic instrument to create new music.

Name: Bridgette Travis Last Podcast Listened To: Invisibilia Favorite Ride: The Coast Loop Most Fun I’ve Had: Riding the 2014 Oregon Outback Favorite Cycling Apparel: Machines For Freedom

171 University Avenue, Palo Alto • 650.328.7411 • www.paloaltobicycles.com • Hours: Mon – Fri 10am – 7pm, Sat 10am w w w.– s v6pm, l o c a l Sun m a g 11am . c o m – 35pm

Ken Packer Ken&Packer Publisher Executive Editor

Publisher & Executive Editor ken@svlocalmag.com ken@svlocalmag.com

Whats What’s right with this picture/ Whatsright rightwith withthis thispicture/ picture/ What’s wrong with this picture Whats wrong with this picture Whats wrong with this picture II call this episode, “What matters most, matters most”. Think “What matters most, matters most”. Think aboutcall it, this and episode, it will make sense.

it, and will make What’s about right with thisit picture: In sense. just a few short years, Silicon What’s right with this picture: Into just few short years, Silicon Valley has rebounded from its worst itsabest.

It is now argu-

cerns, our worries … when we could be doing so much more to worries … when awe couldworld, be doing much more to makecerns, this aour greater community, better rightsohere, where

make thisand a greater community, we live, work play. We need to. a better world, right here, where we live, work and play.

We need to.solutions in technology.

Much of our wealth comes from finding

Valley hassuccessful rebounded fromanywhere its worst toinits best.

It isStates. now arguMuch of our wealthGenerating comes frombillions finding… solutions ably the most region the United It In programs.

In games. trillions in of technology. dollars ably the most successful region anywhere in the United States.

It In programs.

In games.

Generating billions … trillions dollars is the Gold Rush all over again, the land of opportunity, milk and worth. Sports and entertainment alone are that, too. It’s theofsign is the Goldcome Rush here all over again, the landmany of opportunity, milk andof theworth.

Sports entertainment honey.

People to be successful, even ultra-suctimes and theand games we play. alone are that, too. It’s the sign honey.

Peoplespeaking, come here to behave successful, manyso even ultra-sucof the times and the gamesaswe cessful.

Financially things never been good …

But life is not a game.

As much weplay. have done, and do, I feel cessful. Financially speaking, things have never been so good …collectively But lifethere is notisa so game. much wedo. have done, and do, I feel so great. muchAsmore weascan There are many sosame great.time, this great region, in all the wealth and success therewhat is so much more weto can do. already There are many At the morecollectively people coming, will that mean what is the At the same time, this great in all the wealth and can successexisting more peoplepattern? coming,Itwhat will thatbeen meanstretched to what already that abounds us (far bigger than region, most countries!), how, then, holding has already … it willis the that abounds (far bigger most countries!), then, can existing even holding pattern? has already been stretched … it will you explain why weushave the 5ththan highest homeless ratehow, in the be stretched further.

WhatIt then? you explain why we havewith the 5th even What then? country?

Something’s wrong thishighest picture.homeless rate in the It’s upbetostretched us. People willfurther. always ask, what did we do to help … to country?

Something’s wrong with this You will often hear me say, “Where would wepicture. be without our You will often hear me say, “Where would we be without our Non Profits?” Truly, they do so much! You will also hear me say,

to us. People will others? always ask, what wefor domeaning to help … to help It’s ourup community, to help When wedid look help ourin community, others? look and purpose our lives …toit help comes to thisWhen … canwe we, willfor wemeaning

Nonwould Profits?” they do much! the Youlikes will also me say, makeand purpose in our liveswe … it comes thiscan. … can we, story will we “Where our Truly, Non-Profits besowithout of …”hear Indeed, a big difference where can, whiletowe It’s the would be without likes of …”

Indeed,of themake a big where while can.one, It’sitthe story there“Where are many whoour do Non-Profits so much to help!

Thankthe you, Silicon Valstarfish …difference yes, for that one, we andcan, each and we every there are many who do and so much to help! you,who Silicon the starfish … yes,offor that one, and anddepend every one, ley Community Foundation, SV Gives, and Thank everyone is aVal-doesof matter.

The quality our lives and oureach future on it SV Gives, and everyone who is what a does matter. part, ley andCommunity all our greatFoundation, Non-Profitsand ... That being said, as a commuwe do today.The quality of our lives and our future depend on part, and all our we do today. nity, we are indeed sogreat very Non-Profits fortunate. ... That being said, as a commuTherewhat are two valleys here. There is such a divide and it’s worsnity, we are indeed so very fortunate.

There are two valleys here. There suchpeople a dividewho andhave it’s worsThe reality is that we are one valley and two-growing-far-apartening. There are many companies andismany The reality that“have’s” we are one and while two-growing-far-apartThere many companies and many peopleand/ who have separate divides.is The havevalley so much, the rest beenening. helping makeare a big difference (donating in money separate divides.

Theacross “have’s” so much, whilea the been helping makeboth a bigare difference (donating money and/ (which includes many all thehave board) are having hardrest or volunteering in time, invaluable).

I hopeinthat many across the board) are having hard more,orincluding volunteering in time,will both arebe invaluable). hope time.(which We areincludes a limitedmany area,all facing challenges regarding theaecocompanies, also so inspiredI to jointhat in. many time.

We are a Transportation, limited area, facing challenges regarding including will also so inspired to join nomics of Housing, Education, Non-Profits andthe eco-Each more, and every one ofcompanies, us, collectively, canbe indeed make such a in. nomics of Housing, Transportation, Non-Profits and big positive Each and every one us, collectively, can indeed make such a People’s Health and Well-Being.

KeepingEducation, up is one thing; getting difference …of beyond imagination.

People’s Health and Well-Being.

Keeping is one getting … think beyond imagination. ahead is yet another.

In these “great” times, it’sup great for thing; whom?

It’s a big newpositive day anddifference age, we can outside the box, we can ahead is yet another. these “great” times, it’s currently great for whom?makeIt’s a new day and age, we can think outside box, can Unbelievably, nearly 20% ofInSilicon Valley residents such a big positive difference together rightthe here at we home nearly 20% of harder Silicon Valley residents currently live inUnbelievably, poverty … and it’s getting for many to make ends … it’smake time.such a big positive difference together right here at home in poverty and it’s getting harder for many to make ends meet.live That’s not too…sustainable. meet. not too I would like That’s to suggest thissustainable. possibility to all of us, one and all: to I would likeWe to suggest possibility to allbusyness, of us, oneour and all: to please step up. are all sothis busy living in our conplease step up. We are all so busy living in our busyness, our con6

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

… it’s time.

All the best,

4 8 T H A N N UA L

2015-16 Foothill College Celebrity Forum Michio Kaku, Ph.D.

October 21, 22, 23

He is a theoretical physicist and futurist. While at Cubberley High School in Palo Alto, he famously built an atom smasher in his parent’s garage. He has the ability to make complex scientific ideas not only understandable but also fascinating.

Michele Bachmann vs.

Donna Brazile

November 18, 19, 20

Michele Bachman was a congresswoman best known for her conservative Tea Party politics and her candidacy for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. Donna Brazile is an American author, academic, political analyst and Vice Chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.

Andrew Fraknoi

March 23, 24, 25

He is a popular, award-winning astronomy professor at Foothill College and the 2007 California Professor of the Year. The International Astronomical Union has designated an asteroid in his name for his contributions to science education and to the public understanding of astronomy.

Katie Couric

April 20, 21, 22

She co-hosted The Today Show for 15 years, was anchor of the CBS Evening News and a correspondent for 60 Minutes.

She has interviewed many of the world’s most famous political figures and celebrities. She is Yahoo’s Global News Anchor, an award-winning journalist and best–selling author.

Mark Russell

January 20, 21, 22

He is America’s best-known political satirist and comedian who also sings and plays the piano. Known for skewering Democrats and Republicans alike, he says his jokes and songs are very topical and have “a shelf life shorter than cottage cheese.”

Malcolm Gladwell

February 17, 18, 19

He is a master storyteller on how ideas spread in The Tipping Point, on the roots of success in Outliers, and in his latest, David and Goliath, on how we think about underdogs and misfits. He is a staff writer for The New Yorker and was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people.

Bill Maher

May 18, 19, 20

He is an American political satirist, writer, producer, political commentator, television host, actor, media critic and standup comedian. Fran Lebowitz, who is an author known for her sardonic social commentary on American life, will interview him.

• • • • •

Doors open at 7 p.m.

Programs begin at 8 p.m.

Programs are 90 minutes total.

There are no intermissions.

All programs are presented at the Flint Center on the De Anza College campus.

Voted Best Lecture Series in the Nation by The International Platform Association

www.celebrityforum.net

Editorial Contributors Scott Budman Award-Winning Reporter

Scott Budman is an Emmy award-winning reporter, who appears nightly on NBC Bay Area News, as well as on KNBR radio. He is the co-creator and host of the syndicated NBC program “TechNow,” which airs Saturday nights at 6:30pm.

Scott has covered Silicon Valley since 1995, and is still on the lookout for interesting personalities, startups, and gadgets.

A Bay Area native, Scott was born in Oakland, and attended Skyline High School before heading south to UCLA. You can reach him at scott.budman@nbc.com. He’s also on Twitter: @scottbudman

Marina Gavric

Marina Gavric Health & Fitness Training Marina is a long time fitness enthusiast. She is a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Fitness & Sports Nutritionist. She has a BA in Fitness Leadership, and enjoys being a Bootcamp Specialist, a Functional Movement Specialist and a TRX Suspension Training Specialist. Marina has over 20 years of experience motivating individuals to safe and effective fitness, including health and wellness lifestyle changes, while achieving their fitness goals. She is trained in and extremely passionate about weight loss, strength training, as well as endurance and athletic programming. Being a long time runner and body builder, she often takes part in community runs & events and is a strong promoter of sustainable living. As an independent Personal Trainer & Nutritionist, Marina is a corporate trainer throughout the Bay Area, plus she also meets with and trains her private clientele. www.marinagavric.com

Jan Hutchins

Former News Anchor & Mayor of Los Gatos Jan Hutchins is a yogi, shaman and sage. He’s been professionally involved with transformational arts like health, sports, consciousness and yoga for more than 40 years. He’s the owner of the Yoga Center of Los Gatos (since 2001) where his authentic spirit, healing energy, wisdom, sense of humor and attention to individual needs make his classes unique. A Yale graduate, Hutch has lived transformation, excelling at several careers prior to opening the Yoga Center. For 20 years he was a television journalist in the Bay Area. He’s run Community PR for the San Francisco Giants, produced Emmy award winning children’s television programs and held numerous public service positions, including serving as Mayor of Los Gatos. He is active in the ManKind Project (mkp.org) doing his own inner work and helping initiate men into their sacred masculinity.

Andy Dolich Andy Dolich is a Partner in Odgers Berndtson’s North American Sports Practice based out of San Francisco. He joined Odgers Berndtson in 2013, bringing over four decades of experience in the professional sports industry. From 2007-2010, he was the COO of the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers, where he was responsible for all revenue generating operations. Previously, he held two executive positions in the National Basketball Association, including President of Business Operations for the Memphis Grizzlies and President and COO of the Golden State Warriors. Andy has a BA in government from American University and an MA in sports management from Ohio University.

He currently serves on a number of sports industry and community-invested boards and organizations, and is also an instructor at Stanford’s School of Continuing Education. w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

9

Editorial Contributors

(continued)

Porcia Chen Silverberg

Executive Director, Thrive - The Alliance of Nonprofits for San Mateo Porcia brought over twenty years of experience in public relations, marketing, sales and social entrepreneurship to Thrive over 6 years ago. A collaborations advocate at heart, in 2001 Porcia founded the National Center for Community Collaboration (NCCC) based in Denver, while she was in charge of community relations for the Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting Network. NCCC is dedicated to inspire community-based partnerships across public, private and nonprofits organizations through exchange of knowledge and resources.

Porcia is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum, Silicon Valley; graduate of the Redwood City/ San Mateo County Chamber Leadership Program and the San Mateo County Citizen’s Academy.

She also serves on the Peninsula Partnership Leadership Council.

Russell Hancock

President & CEO, Joint Venture Silicon Valley Russell Hancock is President & CEO of Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, a position he has held since 2003. In this role Dr. Hancock is best described variously: as a civic leader, community gatherer, institution builder, social entrepreneur, and outspoken advocate for regionalism.

Since taking the helm of Joint Venture he has quadrupled the size of the organization; assembled a potent board filled with mayors, CEOs and university presidents; built strategic partnerships; recruited a highly talented staff; and launched initiatives that are delivering measurable results to the region.

Russell is also the founder of the annual State of the Valley conference, a “town hall” meeting attracting more than 1,500 leaders for a day spent in dialogue and discussion about the Valley’s opportunities. The conference features the release of Joint Venture’s Silicon Valley Index, a document now receiving national and international attention.

Dr. Hancock’s leadership in the Silicon Valley region builds on earlier work he led as Vice President of the Bay Area Council (1994-1999). There, he spearheaded the campaign extending BART to the San Francisco Airport. He also directed a broadly-based effort which ultimately created the Bay Area Water Transit Authority, charged with delivering a highspeed ferry system to the San Francisco Bay. Educated at Harvard in the field of government, Russell received a Ph.D. in political science from Stanford University where he currently teaches in the Public Policy Program. Fluent in Japanese, Russell returned to Stanford in 2000 to become the inaugural director of the Shorenstein Forum for Asia-Pacific Studies, Stanford’s gathering place for ranking officials, senior executives, journalists, and scholars who shape outcomes in the Pacific Rim. In addition to the research output of the Forum, he built up corporate programs, established international fellowships, raised money, and generated public events featuring a stream of presidents and ministers.

10

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

Editorial Contributors

(continued)

Muhammed Chaudry

President & CEO, Silicon Valley Education Foundation Muhammed Chaudhry is President & CEO of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation. He is one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent voices for education and serving the underserved student. Under his leadership, SVEF has become the leading education foundation in the South Bay supporting students, teachers, parents and the larger academic community. He has supported children and education causes since his days at San Jose High Academy when he led several youth campaigns aimed at improving the lives of students. Later at San Jose State University, he worked summer jobs as a city recreation leader, tutoring “at-risk” youngsters and teens in math and English and encouraging them to achieve in school and go to college. He has forged partnerships with the business, technology, academic and civic communities to advance education causes, such as improving high school graduation rates and overall college and career readiness, and raising student performance in the critical areas of math and science to help narrow the student achievement gap.

He is especially focused on developing intervention programs – particularly in the STEM fields of math and science – to help struggling youngsters reach for college and become Silicon Valley’s next leaders and innovators.

Prior to leading SVEF, Chaudhry held management positions in brand marketing with The Clorox Company and Dazzle Multimedia. He also worked for IBM. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from San Jose State University and is a graduate fellow of the Stanford Executive Leadership Program. He serves on numerous community boards, including the California Consortium of Education Foundations, the Hispanic Foundation and Partners in School Innovation.

He is an active member of San Jose Rotary Club and personal interests include golf, long-distance running and volunteering with various philanthropic causes, including the national Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Youth Association and its “Muslims for Peace” initiative. He resides in San Jose with his wife, Rabia, and their 6-month-old twins.

Contact him at muhammed.chaudhry@svefoundation.org or on Twitter: @macrhamuhammed.

Carole Pertofsky

Director, Wellness and Health Promotion Services, Stanford University Carole Pertofsky, M.Ed., is Director, Wellness and Health Promotion Services at Stanford University, national speaker, and seminar leader. She teaches positive psychology, mindfulness and wellness courses at Stanford University, businesses, Esalen Institute, and other leading retreat and seminar venues. She is co-founder of “Tools for Healing”, a non-profit wellness support for individuals living with life-threatening illnesses. Carole is a certified leadership and wellness coach and consultant for individuals, and teams focused on high performance. She is the recipient of numerous grants and awards.

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

11

Editorial Contributors

(continued)

Julie Hart Conde Wedding and Event Planner Owner of Celebrations By Heart

Julie Hart Conde, wedding & event planner, is the owner of Celebrations By Heart (a full service wedding & event planning company). Julie has spent her entire working life in the service industry. She studied Hospitality Management at University of San Francisco and has extensive expertise in catering, restaurants and hotels (Embassy Suites, Hyatt and Joie de Vivre Hotels). All of this experience (both hands on and in management), as well as her deep passion and enjoyment for serving people and making their lives easier, inspired her to create Celebrations By Heart to help brides and grooms plan meaningful, authentic and memorable weddings.

Terri Norvell

CEO, Trust Yourself Now – a people development company Terri Norvell is a breakthrough speaker and founder of Trust Yourself Now – a people development company. Prior to 1996 Terri was VP of Training & Marketing for a $1.2B Silicon Valley property management & development company; GM of a $9M temporary housing firm; President of the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce; Founding Board member for the Housing Industry Foundation and the Mountain View Performing Arts Center. Terri is co-author with Jack Canfield and Ken Blanchard of the highly-acclaimed book, The Masters of Success.

Terri@TrustYourselfNow.com www.TrustYourselfNow.com

Jean-Michel Cousteau

Explorer, Environmentalist, Founder, Ocean Futures Society Since first being “thrown overboard” by his father at the age of seven with newly invented SCUBA gear on his back, Jean-Michel has been exploring the ocean realm. The son of ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, Jean-Michel has investigated the world’s oceans aboard Calypso and Alcyone for much of his life. Honoring his heritage, Jean-Michel founded Ocean Futures Society in 1999 to carry on this pioneering work.

Ocean Futures Society, a non-profit marine conservation and education organization, serves as a “Voice for the Ocean” by communicating in all media the critical bond between people and the sea and the importance of wise environmental policy. As Ocean Future’s spokesman, Jean-Michel serves as an impassioned diplomat for the environment, reaching out to the public through a variety of media.

12

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

A culinary oasis in Silicon Valley “The Lion & Compass is to the Silicon Valley what Sardi’s was to the theater district.”

—The New York Times

For more than a quarter of a century, the Lion & Compass has maintained a special status in the Silicon Valley.

Opening in 1982, the Lion & Compass quickly established its reputation as the premiere dining spot for the hightech cognescenti.

From business dining and banquets, private corporate events, wedding receptions, to a fine dining experience for two, the Lion & Compass is a culinary oasis in the Silicon Valley.

1023 North Fair Oaks Avenue Sunnyvale, California 94089 (408) 745-1260 http://www.lionandcompass.com w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

13

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

WWW.LEVISSTADIUM.COM/MUSEUM w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

15

The Adobe Lodge, built in 1822, is just steps from the Mission Santa Clara de Asis. This cherished, historic gem is perfect for your most special occasions. We specialize in creating memorable wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners,bridal showers,family reunions and anniversary parties.

Set amongst the beauty of the Mission Garden and in the shadow of the historical Santa Clara Mission Church, the Adobe Lodge is a true hidden treasure. One of the remaining original buildings left on the Santa Clara University campus, the Adobe Lodge offers a serene atmosphere for all those who wish to visit.

As the in-house caterer at Santa Clara University’s beloved Adobe Lodge, we are pleased to offer a full range of event coordination services. Whether you are planning a social or business function, for 5 to 1000 people, the Adobe Lodge will be happy to meet your needs. We also have full video and IT services available for any and all presentations. Our Adobe Lodge chefs are committed to bringing you the best local ingredients, authentic flavors and impeccable service. We at the Adobe Lodge pride ourselves in making every event special.

Our menus are custom tailored for each event. We create “perfect fit” menus and event planning every time and look forward to doing so for your special occasion. For your private consultation with our event planning staff, please call 408.554.4059 or email at adobelodge@scu.edu.

The Adobe Lodge at Santa Clara University 500 El Camino Real, Building 108 Santa Clara, Ca 95053 408.554.4059 adobelodge.cafebonappetit.com 16

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

Special is what we do...

Cherished Historic Gem w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

17

The Art of Helping Many Where Help is Needed A VISIT WITH DR. EMMETT CARSON & SILICON VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION “Lifelong Philanthropy - Here in Silicon Valley, we have a front-row seat to view trends, not only in the tech sector that gives us our name but also in philanthropy. Here, where the ceiling for wealth is high, and so are the needs of those without it, we’re seeing a major shift …

“We are seeing more people embrace philanthropy … Developing ways to partner with them in achieving their charitable passions is our job … Philanthropy is becoming a lifelong pursuit, one that addresses a wide range of problems, issues and needs … The effect this trend will have on our communities is up to all of us.” - Dr. Emmett Carson A VERY SPECIAL MERGER It was October, 2006, when Dr. Emmett Carson was recruited to oversee the merger of the Peninsula Community Foundation (San Mateo County) and the Community Foundation Silicon Valley (Santa Clara County).

The merger took place in January, 2007, and for Dr. Carson it meant moving to California from Minnesota to undertake the unprecedented challenge of merging two separate community foundations – an attempt to unite donors in two very different counties, as well as bridge many different business communities and city politics.

Predictably, there would be a lot of resistance.

Dr. Carson accepted this challenge, becoming CEO and President in late 2006. He is the first to say that the merger of the two entities – whose staffs 18

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

were almost completely unknown to one another – was a collaboration that took shape over time.

As CEO, Dr. Carson has continued to lead a unified Silicon Valley Community Foundation to new heights. The nonprofit organization has grown exponentially thanks to the great staff, the many wonderful relationships built, the overall inspiring group of partners, and its many donors. Silicon Valley Community Foundation has become the largest community foundation in the nation and in the world.

SVCF’s work in the community locally, nationally and globally continues to grow. “Our grantmaking activity in 2014 is just one example of the incredible generosity of individuals and corporations throughout the Bay Area,” said Dr. Carson.

In addition, SVCF launched the Center for

Early Learning, reinforcing its commitment to Silicon Valley’s young children and their families. Research completed last year included the 2014 Silicon Valley Index in partnership with Joint Venture Silicon Valley, and a report on human trafficking in Silicon Valley, completed in partnership with Juniper Networks Foundation Fund and Not For Sale. The first project of the Center for Early Learning was the Parent Story Project, a first-of-its-kind on the well-being of Silicon Valley parents. Plus SVCF also was honored to co-host a historic meeting at the White House of representatives from more than 150 community foundations and government agencies.

SVCF “By The Numbers” 2014: Contributions: $1.96 Billion … Assets under management $6.5 Billion Grants: $474 Million (awarded from all funds) … Number of Grants: 65,500, including those from matching gift programs Grants: $216 Million to Bay Area charities ... Grants: $18 Million to International Charities …

Countries: 57 received grants, including the U.S.

attended Chicago public schools, then Morehouse College and then Princeton University. When he was very young he experienced a tragedy when a neighbor’s child was shot and killed. Dr. Carson’s family quickly picked up and moved across town. He remembers, it was between 3rd and 4th grade. His life, he said, changed. The family moved just 30 blocks away and, yet, it was a world of difference. He saw and he experienced the differences in inequality and social justice. It was two worlds apart. This would impact him and his work - his entire life - to this very day.

Role models were his mom and dad. They taught him about “Heroes” and “Sheros” in black history. His father would read to him every night about successful African-American professionals, which truly inspired the young Dr. Carson. He had learned so much about African-American professionals, and all minorities, that it fed him a sense of wanting to make a difference for many, for all people. This spoke to him: “Hey, the world can be what you make of it.”

At Morehouse, he EXPERIENCING AN thought he would go to law ALL-IMPORTANT school and be an attorney.

PARTNERING But he had a professor With its individual, (who was kidding at family and corporate the time) who said he donors, as well as nonprofit would not endorse him partners, Silicon Valley for law school (he would SVGives, hosted by SVCF, raised $8 million Community Foundation have, he later admitted). for local charities in one day in 2014. is working to make a big Instead, he recommended positive difference for many Economics and Public of our nonprofits and our community as a whole.

Policy, saying: “It would be a stronger major for Dr. Carson added, “There are many who live you … that you can influence people every day.” and work in Silicon Valley, who are wonderful It would be more impactful for Dr. Carson, he supporters of Silicon Valley Community suggested, and as things have turned out, he was Foundation, who are from all around the world. right. He was Dr. Carson’s advisor in school …

Many donors are multi-dimensional. They see and is one of his “Heroes.” themselves as global citizens. It is important to them where they want to make a difference, for PREPARATION FOR THE WORK TO BE DONE where they have come from, and also for a better Morehouse, Dr. Carson said, prepared him very world.” When asked if he thinks philanthropists well. It was a time when being African-American can move mountains, Dr. Carson responded, “I felt challenging and that the education he received hope so.” there gave him confidence … and a feeling that he was ready, prepared, for the highs and the lows of THE ROAD TO SILICON VALLEY attending Princeton.

Dr. Carson was born and raised in Chicago. He The mental preparedness was so helpful, being w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

19

just one of a handful of African-American students to complete that program … and the first to have been accepted in the middle of the year. There would be positives and negatives … It was a whole new world, he felt. “Someone’s got to be first, so being a first at anything, you have to carry your own weight.”

FIRST DESTINATION: THE FORD FOUNDATION. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? Fresh out of Princeton, the young Dr. Emmett Carson was recruited to work for the Ford Foundation. “It was a fantastic opportunity,” he said. “There were many brilliant people all around me. It was like a university with some of the most brilliant people … together there to create a better world.” He had a mentor while there, from whom he learned much about philanthropy. He learned plenty, he said, about what philanthropy can do and how to work it effectively. This helped prepare him early on and very well for what was to come.

NEXT DESTINATION: THE MINNEAPOLIS FOUNDATION. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? From the Ford Foundation, he was recruited to become the CEO of The Minneapolis Foundation.

At the young age of just 33, he was already being asked to be the CEO of one of the largest community foundations in the country.

Emmett shared, “The pressure was, for example, when making a $500,000 decision on something … making sure I got it right. I learned it was so important to know the people, the histories, the politics … who over-promises and who under-delivers. It’s about big risky things. It’s not as risky when we know the actors and who we are betting on. It’s also very important to be a part of the community.”

THEN THE WEST COAST CALLED … WELCOME TO SILICON VALLEY At that time came this challenge, this opportunity, to come to Silicon Valley. Dr. Carson shared: “It was exciting to come here, to execute a merger that was unprecedented. (1) Can you get this merger off the ground; can you get it to work?

(2) Can you be an advocate on important issues, where it would be tough, and still raise the money and the support needed? (3) Can you bring our partners, our companies, our governments 20

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

together to approach and find solutions for these large issues facing us?

Dr. Carson, as we have seen, was up to it … and also with the great art of collaborating. Here and now, working closely together with Carl Guardino, the CEO of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, is a perfect example. He discussed the importance of “the three-legged stool” functioning right, together, in this case, namely: Nonprofits, Business and Government. It’s imperative that we need to work together for rightful solutions.

Just the night before our meeting, he and Carl went together as a team to Sacramento (Dr. Carson representing the nonprofits community sector and Carl the business community sector) and met with our legislative leaders (representing the government community sector). Their

Emmett Carson greets families in December, 2014, at Caltrain Holiday Train presented by SVCF.

message was this: “If we don’t address these pressing issues that we face today in housing, transportation and education, if we don’t take action, it has certainly reached the crisis point that we will choke off our own success … for our present and our future.”

ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC? When asked if he’s optimistic, without hesitation, Dr. Carson responded, “I’m very optimistic because we have all the raw materials here. We have amazing smart people here who have figured out such amazing things. We have resources here that are financial to help us get what we will need. And we have a state of mind

regarding changing rapidly, a cultural mind set, to change. What’s been missing has been the political will. And we have reached a point, especially with housing, transportation and education, a convenience for some and a problem for others. It has become a problem for everyone … that has become intolerable for all.

many together, making a big positive difference.

A SPECIAL DAY AND CAUSE OF CARING: SILICON VALLEY GIVES. Another great example is “Silicon Valley Gives.” Initially, it was to have been a one-dayonly event. There have been Days of Giving in other cities - some successful, some not. Here, there would be challenges … In Santa Clara and THE THREE-LEGGED STOOL AND A PLAN IN San Mateo Counties, where there are 41 different PLACE? communities. People are busy, tens of thousands “Do we have a 5-10 year plan that we of commuters from the South Bay heading north presented or are things on the drawing board? and tens of thousands heading south. Unlike No, I think it’s somewhere in between … where other cities, where there is a central city, with a we have a good idea where the Valley is … central media, newspaper and social network: institutions where we’re doing well … and where “which you could depend on for a successful we’re falling down. Now the issue is to see if the campaign” … not so here, this was totally political energy is there to move forward with unchartered waters. some of the issues that we face. Now, it’s a matter Key sponsors stepped forward in 2014: The of the government to make specific bills and turn John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and them into action. To hopefully get enough support Microsoft, also the Sobrato Family Foundation and behind them … and then hopefully a Governor’s the David & Lucile Packard Foundation and PayPal, signature on them.” meaning the costs would be met and everything raised would benefit local grant-making initiatives.

FROM WORKING TOGETHER COMES The staff at Silicon Valley Community Foundation POSSIBILITY diligently researched how other communities were What is Dr. Carson’s vision? He sees that there successful … and a significant commitment of time are a lot of nonprofit and for-profit leaders who are across the organization was allocated to plan and heroes, too many to mention or single out, plus implement for the overall event. many partners that they are very blessed to work Silicon Valley Gives 2014 was a wonderful with. “It is a pleasure and privilege to meet with success. By The Numbers: $8,000,833 was raised, people every day to help make their dreams into 674 nonprofits participated and benefited. There reality … and our community a great and better were 14,889 donors, 21,869+ unique donations place to live and work.” and $233 was the average gift size. All in one He added, “It is this belief that is so inspiring day, a day no one was sure about, speaks well of for our community and the world … So what’s Possibility. exciting is that we get together with donors and discuss with them ‘Possibility Starts Here’ and how WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT OUR NON they would like to see our community benefit, how PROFITS? WHERE WOULD OUR NON PROFITS they would like to see change in the world. Our BE WITHOUT SVCF? donors are generous to all kinds of great causes.”

P.S. There’s great news ahead. On May 5, 2015, there will be a Silicon Valley Gives II ! What WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO HELP? a Cinco de Mayo it will be. There’s also a Silicon Two great examples. One is “The Big Lift” in Valley Gives 2016 planned now, too. What a San Mateo County. This effort to ensure all the Big Positive Difference this will make in helping county’s children can read well by third grade benefit many nonprofits and our community. has been undertaken by a consortium of over It is these special partnerships and the many 100 nonprofit organizations, including the county people working together that make these kind Board of Education. A federal grant of $7.5 of Possibilities real for our today and tomorrow. million in private donations will help the entire These are but a few examples where Silicon Valley county. It’s not one single effort, but many, where Community Foundation has done much and each one is important, and this represents so continues to help many where help is needed. w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

21

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 24

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

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.

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!

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. w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

25

48th Annual

2015-16 Foothill College

Speaker Series

Donna Brazile

Michio Kaku, Ph.D.

Andrew Fraknoi Bill Maher

Malcolm Gladwell

Katie Couric

Michele Bachmann Mark Russell

26

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

4 8 T H A N N UA L

2015-16 Foothill College Celebrity Forum Michio Kaku, Ph.D.

October 21, 22, 23

He is a theoretical physicist and futurist. While at Cubberley High School in Palo Alto, he famously built an atom smasher in his parent’s garage. He has the ability to make complex scientific ideas not only understandable but also fascinating.

Michele Bachmann vs.

Donna Brazile

November 18, 19, 20

Michele Bachman was a congresswoman best known for her conservative Tea Party politics and her candidacy for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. Donna Brazile is an American author, academic, political analyst and Vice Chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.

Andrew Fraknoi

March 23, 24, 25

He is a popular, award-winning astronomy professor at Foothill College and the 2007 California Professor of the Year. The International Astronomical Union has designated an asteroid in his name for his contributions to science education and to the public understanding of astronomy.

Katie Couric

April 20, 21, 22

She co-hosted The Today Show for 15 years, was anchor of the CBS Evening News and a correspondent for 60 Minutes.

She has interviewed many of the world’s most famous political figures and celebrities. She is Yahoo’s Global News Anchor, an award-winning journalist and best–selling author.

Mark Russell

January 20, 21, 22

He is America’s best-known political satirist and comedian who also sings and plays the piano. Known for skewering Democrats and Republicans alike, he says his jokes and songs are very topical and have “a shelf life shorter than cottage cheese.”

Malcolm Gladwell

February 17, 18, 19

He is a master storyteller on how ideas spread in The Tipping Point, on the roots of success in Outliers, and in his latest, David and Goliath, on how we think about underdogs and misfits. He is a staff writer for The New Yorker and was named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people.

Bill Maher

May 18, 19, 20

He is an American political satirist, writer, producer, political commentator, television host, actor, media critic and standup comedian. Fran Lebowitz, who is an author known for her sardonic social commentary on American life, will interview him.

• • • • •

Doors open at 7 p.m.

Programs begin at 8 p.m.

Programs are 90 minutes total.

There are no intermissions.

All programs are presented at the Flint Center on the De Anza College campus.

Voted Best Lecture Series in the Nation by The International Platform Association

www.celebrityforum.net

John A. Sobrato and the Art of Making a Difference

28

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

stories@svlocalmag.com

A

recent sampling: The Sobratos Donate $20 Million To The New Packard Children’s Hospital Addition To Be Called The Sobrato Pavillion … The Sobratos Donate $5 Million To Build The Sobrato Pavillion at the Valley Medical Center (which is the largest donation ever to a general hospital west of the Mississippi) … The Sobrato Cancer Center at VMC (a most important addition, opened 2009, on a floor in the new Specialty Center Building) , … The Sobratos Donate Hundreds of Millions of Dollars to the Community Foundation Silicon Valley … The Sobratos Build and Maintain Three Centers for Non-Profits That House 65 Non-Profit Organizations … The Sobratos Help Build Schools and Training Centers…

I believe in Positive Role Models and here is clearly a shining example unlike any other.

From a tiny seed comes a Giant sequoia tree, something that is far bigger, beyond imagination or belief. One’s life can be like that, too, how we can help shape infrastructures and benefit others along the way, that makes such a difference in other people’s lives. In this regard, leading by example and helping make this a better world, John A. Sobrato is truly a giant among giants, a champion among champions.

This is not your typical story, but again, this is not your typical person.

It’s about making a difference in this world we live in. How fortunate are we? You couldn’t begin to imagine. Our Silicon Valley would not be a fraction of what it is today had it not been, and continues to be, because of John A. Sobrato, the Sobrato Organization, the Sobrato Family Foundation, the Sobrato Foundation … and especially the Family Sobrato, John A. and his wife Sue, their son, John Michael, their daughters, Sheri and Lisa, and Lisa’s husband Matt Sonsini. They all work diligently together, committed to serving and contributing back to

The Sobrato Family Learning Commons at Saint Francis High School.

our community.

To answer the question, “I am but one person, what difference can I make?” - If you were to listen to John, an only child of immigrant parents, who became a selfmade multi-billionaire, and does so much for community, you will be amazed. What do you attribute your success to? He said he was lucky, that one thing after another just fell into place. w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

29

I believe he was referring to the love of his family and the work ethic that was instilled in him from an early age. He is persistent and committed to what he believes in: excellence, quality and service. He grew up going to school at the Palo Alto Military Academy (now Harker School), Bellarmine College Prep and then

The Sobrato Center for Humanities & The Arts at Bellarmine College Prep.

Santa Clara University (graduating with Honors with a degree in Business), where he was also a classmate and lifelong friend of, yet, another great Positive Role Model, Father Paul Locatelli, who for half a century was that for Santa Clara University, Silicon Valley and The Vatican.

John worked his entire life, as a youngster and all through school. His real estate career began also at an early age; in fact, it was when he was a student at Santa Clara University and he began working with Nick Carter & Co. Part-time, he devoted three days to his class schedule and three days to his work schedule, working in real estate. It was at age 21, while still a student at Santa Clara University, John became the youngest to enter the Millionaires Club in Palo Alto Real Estate. He did this by 30

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

selling Eichler Homes (“and that was a lot of homes, at $20,000 a home”).

I believe John made his own luck - and throughout our entire conversation, he was focused not at all on himself, but on serving, and helping benefit our families, causes and community – which he has been doing for many years (more than half a century himself), and is still very actively doing today, as much as is humanly possible.

I was excited and looking forward to having this one hour talk with John. I arrived early, for which I am grateful – this allowed me time to admire all the framed portraits of their buildings that adorned all their walls, from top to bottom. Each and every one is absolutely beautiful. The framed pictures were hanging there as if displaying one’s own family, indeed so proud of each and every child.

I want to add, too, that John is an extremely humble man.

He is all about what’s good for community – and helping to make a difference.

He was concerned at the time when I called him about too much publicity – he was about to be honored by 1,200 of our greatest community leaders with the distinguished David Packard Award at Joint Venture Silicon Valley and was about to be written up in the Business Journal.

He asked if I could please possibly wait, for he felt it was a bit much at this one time. It was I who asked for this article, not he.

He came to meet with me punctually at 2pm, flanked by important meetings before ours and then again right after. As busy as he was, he was as gracious as could be. He looks like a movie star, he may be 72 years old, but his looks defy his age and he has so much energy. He had a smile on his face throughout our talk. What really lit up his face, though, was when we started talking about his family and the Non-Profit projects they have done and

are doing. There are indeed many, and he is grateful for and proud of them all.

It is so apparent, everything is very close to his heart. To say he cares, is an understatement – it is a passion. And to him it is not about just giving, it’s about a gift being used in a way that will serve them, perpetually, over time.

Our needs today are greater than ever. I often say to the many wonderful Non-Profits, who all do so much: “Where would we be without you?” Shudder that thought. So many of the Non-Profits have been, and are, supported in a very large way by the Sobrato Family Foundation, and so I say again: “Where would we be without this generosity and devoted hard work?” Again, shudder that thought. Indeed, without this support, it would be a very different community world that we live in.

John was selling residential real estate when he joined his mother in the development of some of the first tilt-up high technology buildings in the early 1960’s, after founding and running Midtown Realty in Palo Alto until 1973. It was then, in 1973, when he sold Midtown Realty and moved to Cupertino to concentrate on development, where he has been busy ever since.

Silicon Valley was just being born and this became the beginning of what was to become an illustrious builder / developer career, par excellence. Imagine what it was like back then.

I will not forget how John said, when he first started in the early 1960’s, how there was no Silicon Valley yet at that time, just orchards everywhere. He added, too, that it was Southern California, at the time, that was considerably ahead in the look of commercial buildings.

A decade later, John visited Southern California to talk with and learn from the people in the industry, and he also took with him his 10 year-old son, John Michael, to absorb everything. Silicon Valley was about to be launched … and John M, would later become, and currently is, the CEO of The Sobrato Organization. Never too early … How

purposeful and dedicated are they? Indeed, very … An interesting note: the three children, and all their children (the grandchildren), all become Board Members of the Sobrato Family Foundation and start attending all Board Meetings once they reach age 18.

John went on to build many of Silicon Valley’s most beautiful buildings. He said that from all what he had learned, that he would pay more to have better materials that would provide for a better, more beautiful building … it was always about the quality … and that reputation has consistently followed him wherever he goes, in everything he does.

In our conversation, John also made a point about contributing, that people think

John went on to build many of Silicon Valley’s most beautiful buildings. contributing means simply donating money.

People don’t have to, it may not be in everyone’s means to do so, and that it is just as important to volunteer - that, indeed, it may be even more important. Can you imagine if more and more people were to get involved by volunteering, what a big positive difference it would make?

What John A. Sobrato has done for our Silicon Valley these past 50 years goes well beyond words. The Sobrato Family Foundation, established in 1996, thankfully is in place to continue to help support our Non-Profit community for many years to come. This may be called the Sobrato Way … caring for community … and helping make our Silicon Valley a better place in which we live. What we can learn from all this is truly a masterpiece … and is namely John A. Sobrato and The Art of Making A Difference. w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

31

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 32

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

A

N

N

O

U

N

C

I

N

G

BAY AREA

NONPROFITS CONNECTING VOLUNTEERS & DONORS TO LOCAL NON PROFITS Bay Area Mags LLC is excited to announce the formation and completion of Bay Area Non Profits as a fully accredited 501 (c)(3) nonprofit.

As a digital company and magazine group, we reach out to more than one million viewers and have been assisting small-to-large nonprofits for more than three years.

Please log onto BayAreaNonProfits.org with the link below to see which nonprofits you, and others you may know, would possibly like volunteering for and perhaps making a donation to. Nothing is too big or too small, and together, we can and we will make a big positive difference locally for many.

Bay Area Non Profits organization will continue seeking out sources so we can continue our work in creating invaluable visibility and bringing forth to the community as many nonprofits as we can in the coming months.

WWW.BAYAREANONPROFITS.ORG

HAPPINESS WITHIN REACH: HAPPINESS WITHIN The Open Secret REACH:

The Open Secret

By Carole Pertofsky

harder and stronger that we pursue that great rush of pleasure, the more we want. The more “I want to be happier. I just don’t know how.” we want, the more unhappy we become. And as

By Carole Pertofsky In my work as faculty, presenter and leadership unhappiness soaks into our day, the more we seek coach, I hear this confession from adults, 18-80. to avoid the discomfort and find another pleasure “I want to be happier. just don’tstressful know how.”

The more we want, the comes more unhappy weorbeWe live Icomplex, jolt.

Whether the rush from food drugs; and often disconnected money or prestige; gambling or overwork, this In my work as faculty, presenter and leadership come. And as unhappiness soaks into our day, lives, often bombarded by downward cycle inevitably leads to discontent, coach, I hear this confession from adults, 18-80. the more we seek to avoid the discomfort and media that convinces us that social comparison, restlessness, depression and We live complex, stressful and of often find another pleasure jolt. Whether the pleasures, rush buying all kinds stuffdisconwill even addiction.

Enjoy those healthy fun nected comes from food or drugs; money prestige; make us happy, beautiful, but understand that they alone willornot result in successful, prestigious, sustainable happiness and contentment.

Sorry! lives, often bombarded by media that convincgambling or overwork, this downward cycle 2. FLOW: Does your “this makes me happy” and even more loveable es us that buying all kinds of stuff will make us inevitably leads to discontent, social comparlist include experiences that lead to that zesty individuals. Sometimes it happy, beautiful, successful, prestigious,and ison, restlessness, evenyou addicfeeling of a “YES” depression fist pump? and Maybe love does, in the short run. The Pertofsky untangling codingfun problems, mastering real problem, however, is thatit even more loveable individuals.

Sometimes tion. Enjoycomplex those healthy pleasures, but a communication skillinor fixing a gnarly this media-created trancehowever, can does, in the short run.

The real problem, is that understandnew thatlevel theyofalone will not result sustainable machine? This great feeling of accomplishment, blunt our quieter universal quest for deeper joy this media-created trance can blunt our quieter universal happiness and contentment. Sorry! and kindness. But there is very good news. Deep called “flow”, sparks curiosity, adds vitality and quest for deeperhappiness joy and kindness. there is very good helps us thrive. The happiest people deliberately is withinBut reach. seek out challenging experiences and By peering the lives of the happiest2. FLOW: Does news. Deep happiness is withininto reach. yourengaging “this makes me happy” list include they love achieving new levels of mastery.

But people, we can discover the research-based secrets By peering into the lives of the happiest people, we can experiences that lead to that zesty feeling of a “YES” about the quality of “happiness.” What makes the here’s the secret: Those happy folks also know discover the research-based secrets about the quality of fist pump? Maybe you love untangling complex coding how to fail! Why? Inevitably, the “flow” urge happiest people more joyful and kinder? “happiness.” What makes the happiest people more joyproblems, masteringusato new communication takelevel newofrisks and step outskill of our Let’s begin with your unique life. Take a “time- prompts zone. And what do feeling we findofthere?

When happy? ful and kinder? in” and think about this: What makes you or fixing a comfort gnarly machine?

This great accomwe outgrow our current competency level, we Stop reading, make your complete list, and when Let’s begin with your unique life. Take a “time- in” and plishment, called “flow”, sparks curiosity, adds vitality and hit the “don’t know how” zone, which feels like ready, place your experiences within these 3 think about this: What makes you happy? Stop reading, helps us thrive. The happiest people deliberately seek out incompetence or a setback. If we stick with it categories: make your complete list, and when ready, place your exengaging challenging and they achiev1. SHORT TERM PLEASURES: Feeling the keep trying,experiences and keep failing, untillove finally comes of 3sensory pleasures, such as great food the day we But master a new set Those and we periences withinrush these categories: ingand new levels of when mastery. here’s the skill secret: wine, great sex, sports, entertainment, is terrific. experience great feeling of flow.

The happiest happy folks also knowthe how to fail!

Why? Inevitably, the The happiest people intentionally organize their people understand that gaining mastery requires 1. SHORT TERM PLEASURES: Feeling the rush of and sen- enjoy “flow” urgeresilienceprompts us take new step outorof lives so they have time to kick back to to bounce backrisks afterand a setback sory pleasures, life. such But as great and wine, sex, our zone.and Andeventually what do we findthat there?

When we here’sfood the catchthesegreat experiences arecomfort failure, enjoy great experience fleeting.is terrific.

We want more, we crave more, of flow.

Mandela reminds that “the sports, entertainment, The happiest people in- and outgrow our currentNelson competency level, we hitusthe “don’t we’re bombarded by media that encourage us to greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, tentionally organize their lives so they have time to kick know how” zone, which feels like incompetence or a setget out there and grab “more” pleasure. But the but in rising every time we fall.” Flow, being fully back and enjoy life.

But here’s theour catchthese experiencback.

If weengaged, stick with it - keepThese trying, keep failing, problem is that brains have faulty wiring.

The mastery. areand powerful ingredients es are fleeting. We want more, we crave more, and we’re until finally comes the day when we master a new skill set bombarded by media that encourage us to get out there and we experience the great feeling of flow. The happiest 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.

34

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

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.

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

35

Dining

Scott’s offers extensive, balanced menu

SS

cott’s located in downtown San cott’sSeafood, Seafood, located in downtown Sanon Jose onAve. Park Ave. is situated Jose Park is situated perfectly and perfectly and just awayMuseum, from just steps away fromsteps the Tech the Tech Museum, the San Jose Museum of the and San Jose MuseumSt. of Joseph’s Art and the historicGet St. Art the historic Basilica.

Joseph’s tourist out yourBasilica. tourist Get mapout andyour you’ll findmap that and it’s just from Chavez you’llacross find that it’s Cesar just across fromPlaza, Cesarwhere Chavez you’ll surelyyou’ll enjoy Music in the Park during Plaza, where surely enjoy Music in the Park the summer and within eyesight of the Cenduring the Performing summer andArts. within of the ter for the Its eyesight prime seating Center aforterrific the Performing Arts.

Its prime seating offers view of the City’s downtown and, to mention, it’s City’s in perfect align-and, offersnot a terrific view of the downtown ment catch ait’s plane or two making to a catch not to to mention, in perfect alignment descent to the San Jose Mineta International a plane orYour two making descent to the Airport. parkinga is validated in San the Jose Mineta International Airport. Your parking is valiground floor garage.

Stepininside the sixth floor dining room dated the ground floor garage. and you’ll be treated to a bright, butroom warm Step inside the sixth floor dining and atmosphere with lots of wood accents. Take you’ll be treated to a bright, but warm atmosome time to lounge in the centralized, full sphere with wood accents. somemartini time favorservice bar lots thatoffeatures manyTake of your ites and a in large TV. The ample, bar main dining to lounge the screen centralized, full service that features space seats 270; the banquet room can comfortably many of your martini favorites and a large screen TV. The handle up to 100. At Scott’s, your dining experience ample, main dining space seats 270; the banquet room can will be led by first class service that will be delivered comfortably handle up to 100.

Atvisit.

Scott’s, your dining expeconsistently throughout your rience will be led by first class service that will be Nava delivered Executive Chef and General Manager Alex began his career with Scott’s back in 1992. In 2003, consistently throughout your visit. heScott’s took over as Executive Chef and General Manager. offers an extensive, well-balanced menu with a seWhen asked of what he’s most proud about Scott’s, lection that ranges from the local an assorthe takes only a second tofreshest point to hisseafood, loyal staff and ment of pasta and chicken dishes, to prime, dry-aged the family like atmosphere they all work hard tosteaks. create.As you peruse the menu, you’ll enjoy warm French bread Alex offers an extensive, well-balanced menu andChef ice water punctuated with a slice of lemon. Drawing with a selection that ranges from the freshest local from the seasons, you mayofenjoy suchdishes, as Jumseafood, an assortment pastaappetizers and chicken bo Wrapped Prawns, filled with fresh Dungeness crab and to prime, dry-aged steaks.

As you peruse menu, you’ll enjoy warm mushrooms servedthe with a mildly spicy peanut sauce. AnFrench bread and ice water punctuated with a slice other tasty appetizer choice might be the Seared Blackened of lemon. Drawing from the seasons, you may enjoy Ahi with Seaweed Salad and Wrapped Sesame Soy dressing.

Look for appetizers such as Jumbo Prawns, filled other reliable salads such as a traditional Caesar and a yumwith fresh Dungeness crab and mushrooms served with a mildly spicy my Oven Roasted Beetpeanut option.sauce. Another tasty appetizer choice might the Seared Blackened For your main entrée,bethere’s certainly somethingAhi for evwith Seaweed Salad and Sesame Soy dressing. Look erybody.

Yep.salads Fresh such local as seafood like Salmon, Halifor otherPasta? reliable a traditional Caesar but, Sole, Trout and Lobster?

Mouth watering!

How about and a yummy Oven Roasted Beet option.

ForMignon, your main there’s certainly Rib something Filet Newentrée, York Steak, a dry-aged Eye, or a for everybody.

Pasta?

Yep. Fresh local seafood like Roasted Chicken? Got it!

Salmon, Halibut, Sole, Trout and Lobster? Mouth If you still have a little room left to take care of your sweet watering!

How about Filet Mignon, New York Steak, a 38

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

Scott’s Scott’s Seafood Seafood 185 Park 185 ParkAvenue Avenue San Jose San Jose (408) (408)971-1700 971-1700 www.scottsseafoodsj.com www.scottsseafoodsj.com Beautifullyremodeled remodeledon on the the inside Beautifully inside ......and and also on the outside with this splendid rooftop also on the outside with this splendid rooftop patio.

Enjoy thethe private dining or intimate dining patio.

Enjoy private dining or intimate ambiance for your special occasion ... and also the dining ambiance for your special occasion delightful view overlooking downtown San Jose. ... and also the delightful view overlooking downtown San Jose. tooth, then you might want to consider some of Scott’s dry-aged Rib Eye, or a Roasted Chicken? Got it! heavenly desserts like; Key Lime Pie, Warm Molten ChocoIf you still have a little room left to take care of late Cake, ortooth, maybethen Scott’s Jack, (that’s your sweet youClassic mightRaspberry want to consider some Scott’siceheavenly desserts like; Key Lime Frenchofvanilla, cream with raspberries, Triple secPie, and Warm Molten Chocolate Cake, or maybe Scott’s Claswhipped cream). sic Raspberry Jack, (that’s French vanilla, ice cream At Scott’s you’ll also have a fabulous choice of fine local with raspberries, Triple sec and whipped cream). wines from Northern California, with an extensive At Scott’s you’ll also have along a fabulous choice of selection of world beers. fine local winesclass from Northern California, along with anLunch extensive selection of world class beers. hours are from 11:30 to 5PM Monday-Friday; dinLunch hours are from 11:30 to 5PM Monday-Friner is served up starting at 5PM Monday-Saturday and day; dinner is served up starting at 5PM Monday-Satstartingand 4:30PM on 4:30PM Sunday. on Scott’s accepts Visa,accepts Masterurday starting Sunday.

Scott’s Card, Discover, Diners, and American Reservations Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Diners,Express. and American Express.

Reservations are recommended! are recommended!

A Bay Area Tradition

SCOTT’S SEAFOOD

185 Park Avenue 420 Castro Street #1 Town & Country Village 185San P ark #1 t own & c ountry v illage P alo a lto Jose a venue • S an J oSe Mountain View Palo• Alto (408) 971-1700 (650) 323-1555 (408) 971-1700 (650) 966-8124 (650) 323-1555 www . ScottSSeafoodSJ . com www . ScottSSeafoodPa . com www.scottsseafoodsj.com www.scottsseafoodmv.com www.scottsseafoodpa.com w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

39

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 40

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

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 w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

41

Enjoy The Special Memories

of a Lifetime Here At The Beautiful

Seascape Beach Resort

T

here’s no more perfect spot for an ocean view wedding than Monterey Bay. And there’s no more ideal Santa Cruz resort than Seascape Beach Resort. Rated a four-diamond resort with luxurious amenities, Seascape is the ultimate destination wedding resort with 285 suites and beach villas overlooking Monterey Bay. Rehearsal Dinners - Bring everyone together for a grand welcome reception or an intimate family affair. The property features numerous catering venues that make Seascape Beach Resort the memorable beginning to your California coast wedding event.

Ceremonies - The staff at Seascape Beach Resort can create a dream Monterey Bay wedding for you on our magnificent wedding bluff.

Ceremonies are scenic and special, lending natural beauty and casual elegance to the event of your lifetime here in spectacular Santa Cruz.

Reception Packages - From an informal cocktail reception to a black tie wedding, let Seascape’s wedding coordinators create a memorable combination of food, wine and décor that reflects your image of the dream Santa Cruz wedding. The professional wedding coordinators specialize in creating receptions-of-a-lifetime for up to 300 guests.

Bridal Showers - What better place to host your bridal shower than at Seascape Beach Resort?

Whether you’re planning a reception for 300 or a bridal shower for 20, Seascape’s wedding 42

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

coordinators magically turn your special occasion into a memorable event. Seascape’s magnificent oceanfront setting provides the ultimate in Monterey Bay bridal showers.

Honeymoon Packages - An ideal ocean view wedding deserves an ideal Santa Cruz resort honeymoon. Your experience can continue after the reception in one of the luxurious wedding suites at Seascape Beach Resort. It’s all in the details. Let us assist you — from coordinating the events of the day, to recommending the best local florists, photographers and musicians. Monterey Bay honeymoons get no better than Seascape’s.

Defined by casual elegance, Seascape Beach Resort is the place to host the event of your lifetime.

Photo by Tom Vo

Luxurious Coastal Weddings

OV E R L O O K I N G M O N T E R E Y B AY

Schedule a private tour and consultation, or visit our website for comprehensive wedding details.

•

Personalized wedding services

•

Gourmet reception packages

•

Award-winning restaurant

•

Ocean view reception rooms

•

Spacious suites & beach villas

•

17 miles of beach

(800) 929-7727

•

SeascapeResort.com

•

One Seascape Resort Drive, Aptos, CA 95003

A SCOTT BUDMAN PERSPECTIVE ON THE EVOLVING WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY

Let Them Play Video Games!

I

know, the conventional wisdom is that video games are bad. I’ve heard that since I was a little kid, which takes us back to the early days of the Atari 2600, where “Pac-Man” was made of little squares, and “Space Invaders” was cutting edge. Games were evil way back then, just like they supposedly are now.

Here’s the thing: Since I was a kid, and have grown up, lots of engineers have also grown up, started companies, and changed the world. Some of them are the kids I grew up Budman with. The ones who insisted on playing video games while the rest of us were, you know, outside playing games and inside reading books. Many of the game players were also creating, coding, and programming

their own video games, and yes, those are the aforementioned people now running companies.

Of course, not all young gamers grow up to be CEOs. But I cover tech, and the thing techies cite most as their inspiration for jumping into computers, or engineering, or science (besides watching “Star Wars” a lot of times) is video games. The challenges, competition, even the cheat codes.

Maybe that’s why, when Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg was holding court among a few of us reporters about a year and a half ago – and found out that some of us had daughters, she said “Let your daughters play video games. Encourage it!”

This from the current authority on how women can advance in the workplace.

As a father of two daughters, those words stuck with me. Not enough to actually go out and buy a video game console (I really want them outside playing games, or inside reading books), but enough so that when I see them playing something on an iPad, I don’t cringe. I dream of future college scholarships, and enough future stock options to keep their parents set well into retirement.

The debate over good vs bad will continue, with lots of stats on both sides. But let the record (and Sheryl Sandberg) show: Sometimes, playing around can lead to curiosity, which can lead to really good things.

Scott Budman is a Technology correspondent for NBC News. He’s also on Twitter: @scottbudman

44

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

2015-16

SCHEDULE

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER ( PRE-SEASON )

JANUARY

MON TUE FRI SAT TUE FRI SAT

21 22 25 26 29 2 3

@ VANCOUVER @ VANCOUVER ARIZONA ANAHEIM VANCOUVER @ ARIZONA @ ANAHEIM

7:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM

WED SAT TUE FRI SAT MON THU SAT WED SAT

7 10 13 16 17 19 22 24 28 31

@LOS ANGELES ANAHEIM @ WASHINGTON @ NEW JERSEY @ N.Y. ISLANDERS @ N.Y. RANGERS LOS ANGELES CAROLINA NASHVILLE @ DALLAS

7:30 PM 7:30 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:30 PM 4:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 12:00 PM

SUN TUE THU SAT TUE FRI SAT TUE THU SAT SUN WED SAT

1 3 5 7 10 13 14 17 19 21 22 25 28

@ COLORADO COLUMBUS FLORIDA ANAHEIM N.Y. ISLANDERS @ DETROIT @ BUFFALO @ BOSTON @ PHILADELPHIA @ PITTSBURGH @ COLUMBUS CHICAGO CALGARY

12:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 4:00 PM 2:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM

OCTOBER ( REGULAR SEASON )

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

TUE 1 PITTSBURGH 7:30 PM FRI 4 @ ANAHEIM 7:00 PM SAT 5 TAMPA BAY 7:30 PM TUE 8 @ CALGARY 6:00 PM WED 9 @ EDMONTON 6:30 PM SAT 12 MINNESOTA 7:30 PM TUE 15 @ MONTREAL 4:30 PM THU 17 @ TORONTO 4:30 PM FRI 18 @ OTTAWA 4:30 PM SUN 20 @ CHICAGO 4:00 PM TUE 22 @ LOS ANGELES 7:30 PM MON 28 COLORADO 7:30 PM WED 30 PHILADELPHIA 7:30 PM DATES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

GET TICKETS AT SJSHARKS.COM/TICKETS

SAT THU SAT MON TUE THU SAT MON THU SAT SUN TUE

2 7 9 11 12 14 16 18 21 23 24 26

WINNIPEG DETROIT TORONTO @ CALGARY @ WINNIPEG EDMONTON DALLAS OTTAWA @ ARIZONA MINNESOTA LOS ANGELES COLORADO

7:00 PM 7:30 PM 4:00 PM 6:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 6:00 PM 1:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM

JAN. 28-31 NHL ALL-STAR BREAK @ NASHVILLE, TN

FEBRUARY

TUE THU SAT TUE THU SAT TUE THU FRI MON WED FRI SUN MON

2 4 6 9 11 13 16 18 19 22 24 26 28 29

@ ANAHEIM @ ST. LOUIS @ NASHVILLE @ CHICAGO CALGARY ARIZONA @ TAMPA BAY @ FLORIDA @ CAROLINA @ ST. LOUIS @ COLORADO BUFFALO @ VANCOUVER MONTREAL

7:00 PM 5:00 PM 5:00 PM 5:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 4:00 PM 7:30 PM

THU SAT MON TUE THU SAT TUE THU SAT SUN TUE THU SAT MON TUE THU

3 5 7 8 10 12 15 17 19 20 22 24 26 28 29 31

@ VANCOUVER VANCOUVER @ CALGARY @ EDMONTON NEW JERSEY WASHINGTON BOSTON @ ARIZONA N.Y. RANGERS ARIZONA ST. LOUIS EDMONTON DALLAS LOS ANGELES @ VANCOUVER VANCOUVER

7:00 PM 7:00 PM 6:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 1:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM 1:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:00 PM 7:30 PM

SAT TUE THU SAT

2 5 7 9

@ NASHVILLE @ MINNESOTA WINNIPEG ARIZONA

5:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:30 PM 7:30 PM

MARCH

APRIL

! o d e l o T Holy LESSONS FROM BILL KING: RENAISSANCE MAN of THE MIC

H

oly Toledo! Nobody could ever say it like Bill King! Nobody!

The life and times of Bill King … a trip down memory lane … unlike any other … a great man who transcended sports … greatly … and life, too. So many pictures … so many memories.

It’s funny how things come full circle.

Oakland A’s Announcer, Ken Korach, in his childhood grew up in Southern California. He had his share of broadcast heroes right there: Vin Scully, Chick Hearn, Dick Enberg, three of the best ever. And, yet, there was one in faraway Northern California, Ken would listen to, never missing: Bill King.

If you were to consider the best announcers of all-time, Vin, Chick and Dick would be in at the top of that short list. So, too, would be Bill King.

One the very best of them all. Basketball (with the Warriors), Bill and Chick (with the Lakers) were the all-time best. Football (with the Raiders), there was no one better. Baseball (with the A’s), the broadcast team of Bill and Lon Simmons, couldn’t be beat. For thirty years, Ken listened to his hero, Bill King. And then in 1995, Ken was hired by the A’s and would be working together in the same booth, at home and on the road, with his life-long hero, Bill King.

He was indeed a real-life hero of Ken’s and also a great influence. They worked ten years together – Bill was always great to him and made him feel comfortable, on and off the air. There was humility, never an ounce of standoffishness, as some might have been or might be. Not Bill, he could not have been kinder or more supportive.

“During these ten years, he was the world to me. He was a wonderful friend. We had a great friendship and a great broadcast partnership.”

In addition to Bill’s being perhaps the best 46

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

announcer of all time, there was so much more in so many ways.

He really was ‘the most interesting man in the world’.

After the passing of Bill, Ken felt compelled to write this book about him and his life lessons.

He had had such an amazing life, his story needed to be told…

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

Delivering Local for 4 Years!

silicon valleylocal

M A G A Z I N E

WWW.SVLOCALMAG.COM

Join the STEM movement at STEMpower[ed]!

At Silicon Valley Education Foundation, we support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education as the gateway to 21st century jobs. Our STEMpower[ed] website is an easy-to-use site to help parents and educators find the best STEM programs to create that critical spark in their students.

Visit stempowered.svefoundation.org for the one-stop-shop for STEM education in the Silicon Valley.

About SVEF: Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SVEF) is a not-for-profit resource and advocate for students and educators. We are dedicated to raising student performance in the critical areas of STEM.

M I N E R A L HOT S P R I NG S R E S ORT & C O U N T RY I N N

Famous Champagne Baths, Overnight Accommodations and Day Use. See why Jack London, Mark Twain, Ulysses S. Grant, Teddy Roosevelt, Robert Louis Stevenson and many other distinguished guests fell in love with this resort

California Historic Landmark No. 980. North America’s only warm, naturally carbonated “Vichy” baths, famous worldwide. Mineral hot pool and Olympic-size pool.

I N D U LG E I N F I R S T C L A S S S PA T R E AT M E N T S M A S S A G E , FA C I A L S , H O T S T O N E M A S S A G E , D AY U S E A N D R E F L E X O LO G Y T R E AT M E N T S .

WELCOMING VISITORS AND WORLD-WIDE TRAVELERS FOR 161 YEARS, 18 WELL-APPOINTED ROOMS AND 8 PRIVATE COT TAGES AVAILABLE FOR OVERNIGHT STAYS, 700 ACRE PRIVATE RESERVE FOR WALKING, HIKING AND RE JUVENATION.

2605 VICHY SPRINGS RD., UKIAH, CA 95482 7 0 7 . 4 6 2 . 9 5 1 5 • W W W, V I C H Y S P R I N G S . C O M

The

San Francisco 49ers

Community Relations and

49ers Foundation

A PROUD TRADITION BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD

ess Spa east Cancer Awaren Br r ou at la su m To m are Coach . The ladies with hi 14 20 r be to Oc in t Crawl even rapher Kym , and 49ers photog nt au s hi r, he ot m s hi st cancer survivors Fortino. All are brea

50

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

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 21st 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 w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

51

The Foundation supports programs for underserved youth that keep them “Safe, On Track and In School.” Over the past 20 years, the Foundation has donated nearly $20 million - $2.9 million in 2012. 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 2012, 49ers players participated in more than 150 events, donating over 2,800 hours of volunteer time, impacting over 80,000 people in need annually.

In 2012, 100% of the players participated in one-or-more community events.

Meet Joanne Pasternack, the Director of Community Relations and the 49ers Foundation Joanne Pasternack for the San Director of Community Francisco 49ers.

Relations and the Joanne attended 49ers Foundation 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 52

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

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 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 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

RB Frank Gore advocating literacy

best in the NFL, but in all sports.

The San Francisco 49ers Foundation was honored by the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal for being No. 15 in corporate philanthropic giving in 2012. Not bad for a company that has only 150 employees. The No. 2 Company, by comparison, was Cisco, with 72,000 employees. Nationally, the 49ers were selected runner-up as the best in Sports Philanthropy by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and they were the only representative from the NFL to have this distinction in 2011.

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 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

Coach Tomsula with Football Camp for the Stars participants. FCFS is a camp for athletes with Down syndrome hosted every year at Valley Christian School in San Jose. Coach Tomsula and his family are huge supporters of the camp and even started a chapter back home in Pittsburgh.

A photo of the 49ers STEM Leadership Institute.

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 2012, the 49ers Foundation facilitated $752K 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 Co-Chairman for Second Harvest Food Bank for the past two years. The Bayview Hunters Point YMCA near w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

53

LB Patrick Willis with Make-A-Wish recipient

QB Colin Kaepernick with a Make-A-Wish guest

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 54

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

Foundation, the 49ers, philanthropist Tad Taube and Koret have raised $700,000 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 2013, 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, when they traveled to London to play in the NFL International Series game, they had one day off. Instead of site-

seeing, they arranged a special day with a hugely dedication and passion.

“The key here is that the members of the popular Premier League team – Tottenham 49ers family recognize that they have been Hotspur – and together, in one of the poorer blessed with a special opportunity - one that districts of London, they held a collaborative is not to be taken for granted,” Joanne said. event for 100 low-income youth showcasing “The 49ers take this responsibility seriously. the PLAY 60 movement and the importance of That is why we do what we do. Whether it getting out to play, 60 minutes a day, through is a rookie or a seasoned veteran, ownership both football and soccer. It was an amazing or a 49ers alumnus, we are so very proud of 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 plan to do something similar when they return to London in October 2013.

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 is the 49ers spokesperson.

A photo of the 2014 49ers Foundation giving 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 Another example of the tremendous player to benefit them as an organization and, as participation is Joe Staley who, with a librarian a result, the organization in turn is happy and proud to be able to give back to the for a mother, loves reading to elementary community - as it has and will continue to in students and was recently honored with a perpetuity. If there were a Super Bowl Trophy 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 w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

55

FEATURED COMPANIES TO WORK FOR

A Great Job … What Does That Mean and Where Is It? Are you thinking about a job position change to another company?

Do you see yourself working for a company that’s a great place to work?

Would you enjoy working for a company that engages with its employees and provides opportunities for overall job happiness and growth?

If you answered “yes” to the above questions, then you would most likely be a candidate to work for a company whose values are implemented in its workplace culture.

Silicon Valley Local Magazine in the coming weeks and months will take a more personal approach and go to the source … to find out more on what makes a company tick.

Ken Packer

Publisher & Executive Editor ken@svlocalmag.com

Our goal is to search out, through our independent research, companies to work for and find out from key individuals some good answers to some good questions: What makes their company fun, what is their leadership philosophy and what is the meaning, and joy, in being a part of their organization.

Indeed, there are key factors to be considered before making one of the most important decisions of your life, and career, when searching to join a new organization, such as: A company that respects its employees, shows fairness to all, rewards its employees with perks, and by other means, and offers fair compensation, along with benefits.

How does an organization communicate, do they encourage diversity, is there team building, how can you advance, how can your ideas be welcome, how are your efforts appreciated and how is the compensation opportunity toward meeting your needs … and also your goals?

And, so, how does one who is possibly looking, and hopeful, find and learn more about great companies to work for … many of which may be under people’s radar? There may be many, and, yet, even just one, may be for each person such a great find.

If you are thinking about a change of companies, or looking to start your career with a company that’s a leader in its industry, we invite you to check out … as we continue our quest on finding … “Featured Companies To Work For In Silicon Valley”.

56

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

SILICON VALLEY’S

FEATURED COMPANIES TO WORK FOR

Connecting Employers and Employees

Financial options for every phase of your life

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

57

BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR

NVIDIA CORP

Chris A. Malachowsky, Co-Founder, SVP and NVIDIA Fellow What does Corporate Culture mean to you and your company? How important is it?

This was one of the very first things we discussed shortly after founding the company, when we had just a handful of people. We felt our values, and the culture they would inspire, was a paramount issue for us, literally on par with the product and technology ideas behind our formation.

Two decades later, we continue to put a premium on instilling a culture that reflects the core values and guiding principles that our early team felt was important. It’s even more critical now that we have nearly 9,000 employees around the world.

Our culture is part of the glue that holds us together. It helps us operate effectively as one team. And it serves as the basis for operational consistency, and execution excellence.

What strides does your company take to enhance your corporate culture and also support and empower your employee?

We strongly believe that you can’t artificially create and mandate culture. Bullet points on a poster do not work. A wallet-size card with a motto doesn’t work either. It has to be lived, practiced, cultivated, nurtured, protected.

Our culture is evident just about everywhere you turn here. It’s reflected in the very high standards we drive to, our celebration of critical debate, the forthrightness of commentary, the lack of politics or personal agendas, and the level of creativity and thoughtfulness brought to everything we do.

58

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

What do you love most about your company culture? What excites you and others about working here?

I think it really empowers the individual to do good work, unimpeded by nonsense. It encourages our people to always be proud of what they and their colleagues accomplish, and to work in a supportive environment that recognizes them as individuals and members of a bigger community.

I still find this invigorating. It allows everyone to play a role in our collective success, in a way they can be proud of. I love it that as hard as we work, as large as our commitment is to corporate success is, we play just as hard, find time to laugh, and work to better our communities. A great example of this is Project Inspire, our year-end company-wide volunteer project where we spend a weekend transforming a school or community farm instead of holding a holiday party. It’s one of the best things we do. In some ways, it’s our whole culture, writ large.

What does it take for someone to be successful here?

It starts with playing your role, and playing it well. And to do that requires a high degree of skill, plus very high standards. But that’s really just the beginning. People succeed here by collaborating, by steering clear of the kind of politics that might exist elsewhere, but most of all by being passionate about what they’re doing.

THE VISUAL COMPUTING COMPANY nvidia.com

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

59

BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR

ADOBE

Donna Morris, Senior Vice President, People and Places SVL: What does corporate culture mean to you and your company? How important is it?

DM: Our business continues to evolve and this includes our culture – but we are grounded on the set of values since our inception 30+ years ago; Genuine, Exceptional, Innovative, Involved.

With our values as the foundation, our priority is to have an environment to enable the success of our people that will contribute to the success and growth of the business. At Adobe our employees are our core asset, driving the innovation and creativity at the company.

SVL: What strides does your company take to enhance your corporate culture and also support and empower your employees?

DM: We continue to look at initiatives to enable the success of our people. Our business continues to transform and this means our people processes also must evolve.

For example, we replaced the annual performance review with the Check-in approach – a flexible framework for providing continuous, genuine and reciprocal feedback between managers and employees. The Check-in approach has been well received by managers and employees alike and is helping to drive the success of our business transformation.

SVL: How does your company support its employees’ development, learning and wellbeing?

DM: To help Adobe employees reach their fullest potential, we take a holistic approach in providing an exceptional experience through wellness, workplace, and career development programs. As we continue to grow globally, we are using digital platforms to engage and cultivate leaders through highly interactive, virtual lab sessions. We are also focused on innovating around our workplace experience including creating open, collaborative workspaces as well as hosting community events like our Adobe Field Trip day for employees and their families.

60

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

SVL: What kinds of sponsorships, community or philanthropic activities does your company participate in or support?

DM: It is important for Adobe to help foster the next generation of tech innovators with creativity and coding initiatives. Over the past 8 years we have engaged 150,000 students around the globe in the Adobe Youth Voices program – producing media and learning digital skills they may not have had access to otherwise. To help bring more gender diversity into the tech industry, we are providing grants to and partnering with Girls Who Code, an organization that educates and inspires high school girls with the skills to pursue opportunities in computing fields. This summer we hosted 20 enthusiastic young women at our San Jose headquarters and were inspired by their passion and dedication.

Inspiring. Empowering.

Rewarding. Fun.

These are some of the words people commonly use to describe their careers at Adobe. As an Adobe employee, you’re encouraged to be creative.

Think way outside the box. And work with some of the industry’s most innovative minds on highimpact projects. No matter what you do at Adobe, you’ll play a part in shaping the future of digital experiences.

adobe.com w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

61

BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR

WELLS FARGO BANK Brian Pearce, Senior Vice President, Head of Retail Mobile Channel and Digital Innovation for Wells Fargo’s Digital Channels Group

Bank Apps Make Money Management A Snap SVL: In recent years, we have seen Mobile Banking change so much. What stance has Wells Fargo Bank made in embracing the future and how has it become a leader in modern Banking Technology?

Wells Fargo Bank: We are proud, and excited, that Wells Fargo Bank recently earned #1 in overall mobile performance and best iPhone and Android apps in Keynote’s Mobile Banking Scorecard, a bi-annual assessment on how well firms’ digital channels meet the needs of their customers.

Wells Fargo isn’t innovating for the sake of innovation, but rather to help customers succeed financially. The bank is also an industry leader in security, privacy and fraud protection, and was awarded “Best Privacy and Security” by Keynote last year.

SVL: With so much recent growth behind Mobile Technology and Apps and the Wells Fargo Bank of today, what is the significance of all this and what are you and Wells Fargo Bank most proud of?

Wells Fargo Bank: The app’s recent enhancements, for sure, are not lost on customers, as mobile continues to be the bank’s fastest growing channel in history with 13.1 million active mobile customers, up 22 percent year-over-year.

SVL: You talk about a good number of important new features … What are some of them and what are the special meanings and benefits they have for your customers?

Wells Fargo Bank: Indeed, there are a good number. For example, here are just three we feel are helpful for and appreciated by many. *Wells Fargo SurePay contact list import: Wells Fargo SurePay makes it simple for our customers to send money to their friends or family using the recipient’s email address or mobile number, eliminating the pain of memorizing an account number. Now customers can even import their contacts into the app to easily add new people to 62

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

their recipient list. * Wells Fargo Mobile Deposit video capture: Ever-popular mobile deposit is now complimented by auto-capture technology, which initiates and takes the check’s picture for the customer, in addition to more specific guidance when a check can’t be processed. Instructions include, “Hold steady,” “More light,” or “Get closer,” to help customers complete their deposit. * Make an Appointment: Make an Appointment enables customers to easily schedule via mobile an in-person meeting with a banker to discuss their financial needs. As more people continue to use their phones and tablets for their general banking needs, Make an Appointment allows them to easily access our store-based banking team for those more complex or nuanced transactions that require guidance from an expert.

For more information on mobile banking, search your app store for “Wells Fargo”, visit www. wellsfargo.com or come in and talk to a banker.

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

Financial options for every phase of your life

Whether you want to save for the future, secure a personal loan, utilize exclusive online and telephone banking services, or enjoy the convenience of our ATMs and many locations, we are here for you. Call, click, or stop by and talk with a banker. If you would like to open an account over the phone, call 1-800-932-6736 any time (or 1-800-311-9311 for service in Spanish).

wellsfargo.com All loans are subject to application, credit qualification, and income verification. Š 2014 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. All rights reserved.

Member FDIC. 122933 08/14

BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR

ROBERT HALF Sharon Black, Senior District Director

SVL: What does Corporate Culture mean to you and your company? How important is it?

SB: At Robert Half, we help businesses grow by matching the right talent to their specialized staffing needs, and we build rewarding careers for the professionals we place. Our employees have a passion for helping job seekers and businesses. We treat our customers with professionalism and respect and adhere to a philosophy of “Ethics First” in everything we do.

SVL: What do you love most about your company culture? What excites you and others about working here?

SB: The company culture at Robert Half is dynamic. Our mission is to create a work environment where employees can thrive and innovate. We constantly explore new ideas; look for more effective ways of doing business and pilot technologies that will help our employees work more efficiently. We also never forget the importance of providing unparalleled customer service and building strong relationships with our clients and job candidates.

People here are engaged and passionate about their jobs. They’re not afraid of “rocking the boat” if they think that a new way of doing something will produce better results. They are problem solvers. Robert Half’s renowned customer service has always been inspired by a sincere desire to find solutions for the everyday business challenges our customers face. We have a saying in our office: “We lead by example, and hire the best!”

SVL: What does it take for someone to be successful here?

SB: Our secret to success, besides hard work and a sincere belief in helping others, is our determination to earn the long-term loyalty of our clients and job seekers. You need a desire to 64

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

give customers and colleagues your finest effort.

Our best performers understand that success comes to those who earn it.

Robert Half promotes from within and awards growth and future opportunities to recognize hard work and dedication. We have many professionals worldwide who have built lasting and rewarding careers with Robert Half.

SVL: What is your definition of leadership?

SB: Leaders appreciate the value of collaboration. They focus on group performance as well as individual contributions. They encourage a competitive spirit, but also promote the sharing of techniques, tips and best practices.

Recommended by 9 out of 10 customers.

“Robert Half has a passion for finding the right people for the role and not just someone to fill a chair. We value their quick response and excellent follow-up.”

Support Project Manager, Regional Airport Authority

1.800.803.8367 roberthalf.com

Robert Half once again was named to FORTUNE® magazine’s list of “World’s Most Admired Companies.”

Source: FORTUNE, March 17, 2014 © 2014 Robert Half International Inc. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V. 0310-9005

BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR

T HERMA CORPORATION NICKI ICKI & JOE OE PARISI ARISI, FOUNDERS OUNDERS

SVL: What does Corporation Culture mean to you and your company? How important is it?

TC: Corporate culture is very important to Therma Corporation. All of our employees are empowered to execute any project or task as if they had full freedom in the decision making process. This freedom allows our employees to ourish with creative ideas and solutions for our customers.

SVL: If you could describe your corporate culture in three words, what would they be?

TC: Quality, Innovation, and Relationships.

SVL: What strides does your company take to enhance your corporate culture and also support and empower your employee?

TC: Therma Corporation takes great strides to support our employees by providing them with the very best of equipment and management tools that allows each employee to be successful.

66

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

SVL: What's the best part you feel about working in this environment that is so clearly apparent as you walk around?

TC: It's inspiring to see the creativity at work as you walk around our company, you can feel the pride in all of our employees.

SVL: What does it take for someone to be successful here?

TC: The most successful employees at Therma Corporation are self-driven with a hint of hidden entrepreneurship.

SVL: Are there opportunities available to your employees for helpful advisors, mentors or coaches?

TC: All of our employees are encouraged to serve as a coach or a mentor. Therma Corporation's front ofďŹ ce was designed with an open space concept to encourage interaction between employees so that they can share in each other's knowledge.

From vision to implementation.

Therma Corporation is a full-service design/build mechanical contractor with nearly 50 years of industry experience. Our solution-based approach is tailored to each client, resulting in the most efficient and economical designs for your project. Whether it’s a “one off ” custom part or a full-service, design/build mechanical system, we’re experts at finding the perfect configuration for your needs. Our teams can help you with creative solutions in HVAC, process piping, plumbing, architectural sheet metal, maintenance, controls, custom fabrication, and more. At Therma Corporation, we’re fond of saying, “If you can imagine it, we can build it!”

Ph: 408 • 347 • 3400 | Fax: 408 • 347 • 3418 | www.therma.com

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

67

FEATURED COMPANIES TO WORK FOR WHY WE’RE A GREAT PLACE TO WORK

CMT

Computer Media Technologies

SVL: What does corporate culture mean to you and your company? How important is it?

KMK: At CMT, corporate culture isn’t just a single component to our company—it defines the way we do business. For 30-plus years, our culture – and the family, values and ethics behind it – has helped to shape a workplace that’s diverse, balanced, aggressive, focused on winning and, most importantly, commitSVL: What does corporate culture mean to ted to fostering customer and you and youremployee, company?

How important is it? community relationships.

CM: This was one of the very first things we ‘Fostering relationships’ is a founding theme contindiscussed shortly after the company, when uously ouraminds hereofatpeople.

CMT, andWe a felt our values, we hadonjust handful and thethat culture they nearly wouldeverything inspire, was a paramount mission permeates issue for us, literally on par with the product and we do. These special relationships reside technology ideas behind our formation. within the building here at CMT, but they Two decades later, we continue to put a also reside within our partner relationships premium on instilling a culture that reflects the with companies like Symantec, NetApp, core values and guiding principles that our early Brocade, Veritas, Storage and team felt wasPure important.

It’sothers. even more critical Most importantly, it’s a nearly theme that defines now that we have 9,000 employees around how we conduct business with our custhe world. Our culture is part of the glue that holds us together.

It helps usbusiness operatewith effectively as one tomers.

We’ve been doing team.

And it serves as the basis for operational the same integrity, loyalty and dedication consistency, and execution excellence. for 30-plus years—and our customers can see that clearly. In the future, our management staff, as a team, will continue to cultivate SVL: What strides does your company take our culture for the better.

NVIDIA Kurt M. Klein, CEO CORP

tivities does your company participate in and support?

KMK: Being a part of this community here in Santa Clara, and California in general, is extremely important to us. We have sponsored many charities over the years, including the Glide Memorial Church and several others.

Giving back to organizations tied to our own employees at CMT is vital. These kinds of organizations include bake sales, cancer walks and SVL: What do you your of Girllove Scoutmost cookieabout sales (pounds company culture? What excites and others which are still in you our refrigerator!)

We about working here? are committed to supporting the indiCM: I think it really empowers the individual vidual children of our employees here to do good work, unimpeded by nonsense. It at CMT. encourages our people to always be proud of We’ve supported one of ourand anchor what they and their colleagues accomplish, to charities, Second Harvest Food Bank, work in a supportive environment that recognizes for several years of running.

A second them as individuals and members a bigger community. charity we support, the scholarI still find this invigorating.

It allows everyone ship-based Pursuit of Excellence, helps to play a role in our collective success, in a way to equip under-funded college-bound they can be proud of.kids I love that for as college. hard asSponsorwe with it money work, as large as our commitment is to corporate ing and being involved in our commusuccess is, we play just as hard, find time to laugh, nitycommunities. has always been very important to and work to better our A great us, and it’s a philosophy we’ve been committed to for more than example of this is Project Inspire, our year-end 30 years. company-wide volunteer project where we spend

Chris A. Malachowsky, Co-Founder, SVP and NVIDIA Fellow

THE ULTIMATE BACKUP APPLIANCES SIMPLE

SCALABLE

FLEXIBLE

RELIABLE

Kurt M. Klein, CEO

to enhance your corporate culture and also support anditempower yourto employees?

SVL: What does take for someone be successful here?

CM: We strongly believe that you can’t KMK: It takescreate a number of qualities to be successful here at CMT. artificially and mandate culture.

Bullet One, as Ion previously discussed, To be an outpoints a poster do notrelates work.toAculture. wallet-size card with a motto doesn’t workyou either.

It has to–be standing member of our team, need to fit into and have lived, practiced, cultivated, a thorough understanding of – ournurtured, culture andprotected. priorities. These Our culture is evident just about everywhere priorities include qualities like the drive to win and a strong focus you turn here.

It’s reflected the on very high on forming relationships, as well as in a focus being positive, passtandards we drive to, our celebration of critical sionate and always thinking about the customer first. These valdebate, the forthrightness of commentary, the ues tend to embody the typical CMT employee, and those are the lack of politics or personal agendas, and the folks committed to staying growing within this environment. level of creativity andand thoughtfulness brought to everything we do.

SVL: What kind of sponsorships, community or philanthropic ac-

a weekend transforming a school or community SVL: What is your definition of leadership? farm instead of holding a holiday party. It’s one of theFrom besta technical things we do. Inbeing somea leader ways,means it’s our KMK: definition, guiding whole culture, writ large. corporate culture and having the the company vision, direction,

ability to lead and inspire. It also relates to the products, services SVL: What does it take for someone to be and markets we address. successful here?

However, a personal leader means much CM: from It starts with approach, playing being your arole, and more than means team around me that’s playing it that. well.ItAnd to building do that arequires a high stronger in means empowering those degree ofareas skill,I find pluschallenging. very highIt standards.

But that’s around just me, to work with their underlings, and to make us collecreally the beginning.

People succeed here by collaborating, by steering clear of the of , tively successful. In essence, a large part of the wordkind ‘leadership’ politics that might exist an elsewhere, but most of all for me, translates to building environment that’s positive, dyby being passionate about what they’re doing. namic and supportive—all while empowering our team and allowing our brightest employees to shine.

F R E E D O M

www.gocmt.com

O F

Choice

590 Laurelwood Road, Santa Clara, CA 95054 Phone: 408.734.3339 Veritas and the Veritas Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries.

FEATURED COMPANIES TO WORK FOR WHY WE’RE A GREAT PLACE TO WORK

CMT

Computer Media Technologies

SVL: What does corporate culture mean to you and your company? How important is it?

KMK: At CMT, corporate culture isn’t just a single component to our company—it defines the way we do business. For 30-plus years, our culture – and the family, values and ethics behind it – has helped to shape a workplace that’s diverse, balanced, aggressive, focused on winning and, most importantly, commitSVL: What does corporate culture mean to ted to fostering customer and you and youremployee, company?

How important is it? community relationships.

CM: This was one of the very first things we ‘Fostering relationships’ is a founding theme contindiscussed shortly after the company, when uously ouraminds hereofatpeople.

CMT, andWe a felt our values, we hadonjust handful and thethat culture they nearly wouldeverything inspire, was a paramount mission permeates issue for us, literally on par with the product and we do. These special relationships reside technology ideas behind our formation. within the building here at CMT, but they Two decades later, we continue to put a also reside within our partner relationships premium on instilling a culture that reflects the with companies like Symantec, NetApp, core values and guiding principles that our early Brocade, Veritas, Storage and team felt wasPure important.

It’sothers. even more critical Most importantly, it’s a nearly theme that defines now that we have 9,000 employees around how we conduct business with our custhe world. Our culture is part of the glue that holds us together.

It helps usbusiness operatewith effectively as one tomers.

We’ve been doing team.

And it serves as the basis for operational the same integrity, loyalty and dedication consistency, and execution excellence. for 30-plus years—and our customers can see that clearly. In the future, our management staff, as a team, will continue to cultivate SVL: What strides does your company take our culture for the better.

NVIDIA Kurt M. Klein, CEO CORP

tivities does your company participate in and support?

KMK: Being a part of this community here in Santa Clara, and California in general, is extremely important to us. We have sponsored many charities over the years, including the Glide Memorial Church and several others.

Giving back to organizations tied to our own employees at CMT is vital. These kinds of organizations include bake sales, cancer walks and SVL: What do you your of Girllove Scoutmost cookieabout sales (pounds company culture? What excites and others which are still in you our refrigerator!)

We about working here? are committed to supporting the indiCM: I think it really empowers the individual vidual children of our employees here to do good work, unimpeded by nonsense. It at CMT. encourages our people to always be proud of We’ve supported one of ourand anchor what they and their colleagues accomplish, to charities, Second Harvest Food Bank, work in a supportive environment that recognizes for several years of running.

A second them as individuals and members a bigger community. charity we support, the scholarI still find this invigorating.

It allows everyone ship-based Pursuit of Excellence, helps to play a role in our collective success, in a way to equip under-funded college-bound they can be proud of.kids I love that for as college. hard asSponsorwe with it money work, as large as our commitment is to corporate ing and being involved in our commusuccess is, we play just as hard, find time to laugh, nitycommunities. has always been very important to and work to better our A great us, and it’s a philosophy we’ve been committed to for more than example of this is Project Inspire, our year-end 30 years. company-wide volunteer project where we spend

Chris A. Malachowsky, Co-Founder, SVP and NVIDIA Fellow

THE ULTIMATE BACKUP APPLIANCES SIMPLE

SCALABLE

FLEXIBLE

RELIABLE

Kurt M. Klein, CEO

to enhance your corporate culture and also support anditempower yourto employees?

SVL: What does take for someone be successful here?

CM: We strongly believe that you can’t KMK: It takescreate a number of qualities to be successful here at CMT. artificially and mandate culture.

Bullet One, as Ion previously discussed, To be an outpoints a poster do notrelates work.toAculture. wallet-size card with a motto doesn’t workyou either.

It has to–be standing member of our team, need to fit into and have lived, practiced, cultivated, a thorough understanding of – ournurtured, culture andprotected. priorities. These Our culture is evident just about everywhere priorities include qualities like the drive to win and a strong focus you turn here.

It’s reflected the on very high on forming relationships, as well as in a focus being positive, passtandards we drive to, our celebration of critical sionate and always thinking about the customer first. These valdebate, the forthrightness of commentary, the ues tend to embody the typical CMT employee, and those are the lack of politics or personal agendas, and the folks committed to staying growing within this environment. level of creativity andand thoughtfulness brought to everything we do.

SVL: What kind of sponsorships, community or philanthropic ac-

a weekend transforming a school or community SVL: What is your definition of leadership? farm instead of holding a holiday party. It’s one of theFrom besta technical things we do. Inbeing somea leader ways,means it’s our KMK: definition, guiding whole culture, writ large. corporate culture and having the the company vision, direction,

ability to lead and inspire. It also relates to the products, services SVL: What does it take for someone to be and markets we address. successful here?

However, a personal leader means much CM: from It starts with approach, playing being your arole, and more than means team around me that’s playing it that. well.ItAnd to building do that arequires a high stronger in means empowering those degree ofareas skill,I find pluschallenging. very highIt standards.

But that’s around just me, to work with their underlings, and to make us collecreally the beginning.

People succeed here by collaborating, by steering clear of the of , tively successful. In essence, a large part of the wordkind ‘leadership’ politics that might exist an elsewhere, but most of all for me, translates to building environment that’s positive, dyby being passionate about what they’re doing. namic and supportive—all while empowering our team and allowing our brightest employees to shine.

F R E E D O M

www.gocmt.com

O F

Choice

590 Laurelwood Road, Santa Clara, CA 95054 Phone: 408.734.3339 Veritas and the Veritas Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries.

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 68

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

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!

Offering a Modern Interpretation of the classic American steakhouse with hints of Japanese influence.

SAN FRANCISCO 448 Brannan Street 415-495-1111

CUPERTINO 10330 N. Wolfe Road 408-446-2222

PALO ALTO 4269 El Camino Road 650-213-1111

W W W. A L E X A N D E RSST E A K H O US E . C OM w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

69

| | your wellness world

Valley Medical Center: World-class care. Regional specialty services. A growing need for YOUR help.

T

he day started like any other in the Emergency Department of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (VMC) – fast-paced and action-packed. But as morning turned to afternoon, the staff knew something was different.

New patients just kept coming; via ambulance, helicopter and walking themselves through the door.

It was a rush like no other.

By day’s end, over 500 patients had come through the door for treatment, more than double the daily average from six years ago. It was a new record. And this was just a regular day, seemingly like any other. There were no major storms or disasters to speak of – just a lot of sick and injured people who needed to see a doctor. The day was emblematic of the challenges facing the Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System (SCVHHS).

As the economy has worsened, more and more residents of Santa Clara County have nowhere else to turn when they need medical attention.

In fact, fully one-quarter of all Santa Clara County residents get their care at Valley Medical Center and VMC community clinics. From primary care for children, to emergency care for adults, VMC forms the backbone of this community’s health system. As a teaching hospital, VMC trains an overwhelming number of local physicians and nurses, including all Stanford University School of Medicine students. VMC operates the busiest emergency department in the region, and one of two burn trauma units in northern California.

But as costs rise and public dollars decline, the staff of VMC has to do more with less.

In fact, over the past 10 years, the patient demand for SCVHHS services has doubled, all the while undergoing nearly a decade of year-afteryear budget cuts. In that time, SCVHHS staff has gone to enormous lengths to realize efficiencies, reduce waste, innovate, and find ways to serve more people with less money. But if current trends continue, VMC will face dire financial and operational challenges.

70

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

The doors of Valley Medical Center are open to all. It’s up to all of us to keep it that way. Your help is needed now, more than ever. To learn more about how you can support VMC, contact the VMC Foundation at 408-8855299, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, or visit www. vmcfoundation.org.

For these reasons and more, all of us, regardless of where we get our healthcare, have a stake in the future of VMC. No other public institution – save the folks who bring us clean drinking water – do more to protect the health and wellbeing of this community than VMC. Without it, emergency departments at private hospitals would be overwhelmed, contagious diseases would go unchecked, and hundreds of thousands of our neighbors, co-workers and friends would be without care.

If you are among those who have helped, thank you. In 2008, you may have voted for a bond measure to re-build Valley Medical Center, and construction is going strong. You may have recently donated to support the Sobrato Cancer Center, or our Traumatic Brain Injury Rehab program, or VMC’s Burn Center – all state-of-the-art services, made stronger by our generous supporters. You may have even received care at VMC, Silicon Valley’s biggest and busiest hospital, and told others that the quality of care is top-tier.

The Sobrato Cancer Center

at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center

World-class cancer care. Available to all.

The Sobrato Cancer is located in the new, state-of-the-art Valley Specialty Center building (left) on the campus of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.

Dr. Aemonn Dunphey explains to John A. Sobrato and Jeffrey Sobrato (top right) how the Varian Trilogy® Linear Accelerator delivers ultra-accurate radiation treatment, eradicating cancer cells while preserving healthy ones.

Everyone, no matter rich or poor, should have access to the finest oncology services.

At Valley Medical Center’s new Sobrato Cancer Center, that mission is met daily.

But with budget challenges and growing need, VMC’s talented team can’t do it alone.

They need your help.

Please support the VMC Foundation. Your public hospital is here for all, regardless of ability to pay. Let’s make sure it stays that way.

www.vmcfoundation.org

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

71

Photos courtesy of The Tech Museum of Innovation

The Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater is the largest IMAX Dome screen in the West. It allows guests to be immersed in a giant wraparound screen for an unforgettable film experience with crystal clear images eight stories high and 13,000 watts of wrap-around digital surround sound.

Reactable lets visitors experiment with a revolutionary electronic instrument to create new music.

MEET TIM

RITCHIE THE EXTRAORDINARY PRESIDENT OF OUR SILICON VALLEY’S WORLD FAMOUS THE TECH MUSEUM OF INNOVATION

I

recently had the great pleasure of meeting and talking with Tim Ritchie, President of The Tech Museum of Innovation in downtown San Jose.

My conversation with Tim, who arrived at The Tech in October 2011, was so insightful and inspiring. Technology is in many ways determining our world’s present and our future. All ages, especially the young, need to be able to grasp it, and to find confidence in it.

The Tech welcomes 400,000 to 500,000 visitors a year. Its mission is “to inspire the innovator in everyone,” and, as Tim says, it’s not so much a museum as an The Tech Studio is a collaborative design space with digital fabrication, exhibit production and experience. prototyping. Visitors see first-hand how The Tech creates new exhibits – and be among the first The Tech also to test them. Some examples of programming in The Tech Studio include Beta Jams, Computer houses the Hackworth Science Education Week, Makerspace @ The Tech, and Social Innovation Workshops.

IMAX Dome Theater, ago, a group of women from the Junior League an absolutely stunning of Palo Alto wanted to create a science center. experience that attracts an additional 150,000 They breathed life into this by making a few visitors a year. It is the largest IMAX Dome screen key calls, including to Bob Noyce (co-founder of in the West, and it’s such a different experience Intel), who responded: “Let’s get this thing going.” than a flat screen. If you have seen a film here, He called Bill Hewlett and David Packard, and you know. If you haven’t, you really should. It’s they responded: “Let’s make this happen.” And that great.

Gordon Moore (Intel), too. Quite the Who’s Who How did The Tech begin? More than 30 years w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

73

Social Robots is the newest hands-on experience where you can design and build a real robot using sensors, controllers and actuators.

of Silicon Valley.

The first Tech Challenge design and engineering competition took place in 1988. The idea was for students to discover their inner innovator, to gain confidence, and to be inspired by this grand experience. The participants learn as much about themselves as they do about the world.

The competition started where The Tech offices are now, next to the Civic Center in downtown San Jose. Then, the beautiful building housing the museum opened in 1998. Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale had all wanted it. But it was the City of San Jose that became the champion of this cause. No one wanted this more than San Jose, and no one more than its mayor at the time, Tom McEnery.

Tim Ritchie was born and raised in Louisville.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from Davidson College in North Carolina, his law degree from Duke Law School, and his master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University.

Was there something in particular that inspired Tim early on? The answer is a definite yes, and it was as early as the eighth grade. Tim read a book that truly inspired him and influenced his life: 74

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

Social Circles promotes social enc

How To Start Your Own School and Why You Need To Start One. It was about learning and society. “I knew how much I loved learning,” he said. “The premise being: How institutions of learning can and do make a difference … and, if and how we can master it, this is vital for a better world.”

Throughout Tim’s career, his love and appreciation of learning, serving others and making a difference for society became very apparent. From 1998 to 2002, Tim, a lawyer at the time, felt there was a different course meant for him to make a more significant difference. At that time, he had been doing volunteer work in Birmingham, Ala. It was impactful and he was enjoying it. His greatest ambition and love was to help people toward imagination and success.

Tim said many people inspired him along the way, in particular his father, who was entrepreneurial and never afraid of taking a risk.

That confidence to think big and try and try again would become important in Tim’s way of thinking about possibility. And his father volunteered, helping those in poverty. This would influence Tim as well.

By 2004, Tim was running the McWane

counters through playful interaction.

Science Center in Birmingham. It was this experience at McWane, as well as his outstanding previous professional experience in law, community development, education, finding solutions and community leadership that prepared him very well for what soon would be his calling at The Tech.

As Tim puts it, “I have a good sense for what ‘there’ looks like, what success looks like, and how to get ‘there’. The definition of success and good leadership is how to move institutions from ‘here’ to ‘there.’” Indeed, it’s essential for the direction of The Tech in the 21st Century.

“At The Tech, the students are greeted as our treasured guests. We believe there’s a light bulb within each and every one. When we see that light bulb turn on, there’s hope. The key is keeping that light on.”

“Students need a safety net to fail.

They also need an ‘I want to.’ I want this so badly that I’ll stick with it to the end.

Here at The Tech, it’s safe to fail, and we instill the wanting. Enter the confidence, the encouragement, the ‘it’s OK,’ the perseverance, the want to keep on going. Yes -

I want to. It’s safe to. And I can do it. Indeed, it’s all enriching.”

Is there a book that stands out that Tim would highly recommend? “Yes, there is. The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind is a great book, one I feel everyone should read. It’s an inspirational true story of how one boy’s idea improved the lives of everyone in his community including himself -harnessing technology to make the world a better place.”

“There are challenges we face, and we need to find solutions. Technology is really a means to an end, a way to solve problems. There has to be a better way, which means we have to find a way to figure these things out. Such solutions will come from technology. We are in trouble if we do not find technological answers to the problems we face.”

Tim is also a big champion of finding ways to ensure more women are engaged in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Numbers are rising for women in technology and science, but not as much as they are in law and medicine. Tim added that high-tech companies are enthusiastic and supportive of this effort as well.

This year’s Tech Challenge program had more than 2,000 participants, and more than 40 percent were girls. “We are very excited about the program and we want to make it more accessible for more students wanting to participate.”

The open-ended, design-challenge experience in The Tech Challenge is evident on the museum floor, too. Social Robots, on The Tech’s lower level, allows visitors to design and build their own robot. It’s not the kind of experience you can skim through; it takes time, and that helps develop confidence and encourage perseverance.

The Tech is in the middle of a $50 million capital campaign to revitalize the entire museum including exhibits and educational programs. As part of that, Tim is aiming to raise $3 million to convert the IMAX Dome Theater to a digital format so that The Tech can expand its educational capabilities.

“The Tech is not a museum. It’s an experience,” Tim said. “People need to come and experience it.” With Tim Ritchie at the helm, it’s a VERY special experience, getting better and better all the time as a model for our children, our community and our society to learn, grow and become the best they can be. w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

75

Featured Local Business that will hit the exact al dente mark with plenty of pizazz. The decor is classic Italian-American and so is the menu. A place to be casual and get involved with the food.”

As another reviewer wrote: “The menu is plentiful and not to mention excellent.” There is also an array of popular vegetarian and vegan options, plus an outstanding wine selection and a full bar, as well, to choose from.

Italian family recipes an in an open-kitchen, very

A Delicious Taste of Italy

friendly ambiance, inside and also outdoors. Thus,

The dream came to Joe Antuzzi II, the proprietor of Sunnyvale train station.

wearing shorts or a suit and tie.

it is a bistro, meaning it is meant to feel casual where people would feel comfortable whether

il postale: to create a fun, festive and popular restaurant similar to what you would find in the Old World Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, il postale’s Italian fare - located in a historic downtown, close to setting seems perfect, in an old world charm of the train station, where people would come from its own. There, you will experience award-winning

Laura Reiley of CitySearch wrote: “il postale is an Come and enjoy il postale Italian-American Bistro & Italian gem of a restaurant in Sunnyvale, with Bar. When not able to attend, you may also wish to generous portions and attentive service.”

near and far, and feel right at home - enjoying such Italian-American food and at reasonable prices. delicious Italian food and wine and in such a warm, The intent was not to reinvent the Italian culinary friendly and comfortable setting.

world, but to include already very popular old

menu. This way you can bring il postale’s delicious, Good Life Publications wrote: “Big-hearted and fun and friendly festivities to you. Buon appetito! two-fisted, this robust restaurant likes to lavish its customers with generous portions and atten-

So it came to be that in 1995, il postale Italian-Amer-

consider their very popular “Cater your next event”

tive service.

ican Bistro was born. il postale is Italian, meaning the Post Office. It is conveniently located

“Here is a place that turns out food Dean Martin

in the heart of historic downtown Sunnyvale - yes,

would have loved. The marinara is perfection,

on Murphy Avenue -just across the street from the

and there’s invariably some seafood pasta dish

il postale Italian-American Bistro & Bar A Delicious Taste of Italy 100 S. Murphy Avenue Sunnyvale (408) 733-9600 ilpostale.com

Featured Local Business that will hit the exact al dente mark with plenty of pizazz. The decor is classic Italian-American and so is the menu. A place to be casual and get involved with the food.”

As another reviewer wrote: “The menu is plentiful and not to mention excellent.” There is also an array of popular vegetarian and vegan options, plus an outstanding wine selection and a full bar, as well, to choose from.

Italian family recipes an in an open-kitchen, very

A Delicious Taste of Italy

friendly ambiance, inside and also outdoors. Thus,

The dream came to Joe Antuzzi II, the proprietor of Sunnyvale train station.

wearing shorts or a suit and tie.

it is a bistro, meaning it is meant to feel casual where people would feel comfortable whether

il postale: to create a fun, festive and popular restaurant similar to what you would find in the Old World Nestled in the heart of Silicon Valley, il postale’s Italian fare - located in a historic downtown, close to setting seems perfect, in an old world charm of the train station, where people would come from its own. There, you will experience award-winning

Laura Reiley of CitySearch wrote: “il postale is an Come and enjoy il postale Italian-American Bistro & Italian gem of a restaurant in Sunnyvale, with Bar. When not able to attend, you may also wish to generous portions and attentive service.”

near and far, and feel right at home - enjoying such Italian-American food and at reasonable prices. delicious Italian food and wine and in such a warm, The intent was not to reinvent the Italian culinary friendly and comfortable setting.

world, but to include already very popular old

menu. This way you can bring il postale’s delicious, Good Life Publications wrote: “Big-hearted and fun and friendly festivities to you. Buon appetito! two-fisted, this robust restaurant likes to lavish its customers with generous portions and atten-

So it came to be that in 1995, il postale Italian-Amer-

consider their very popular “Cater your next event”

tive service.

ican Bistro was born. il postale is Italian, meaning the Post Office. It is conveniently located

“Here is a place that turns out food Dean Martin

in the heart of historic downtown Sunnyvale - yes,

would have loved. The marinara is perfection,

on Murphy Avenue -just across the street from the

and there’s invariably some seafood pasta dish

il postale Italian-American Bistro & Bar A Delicious Taste of Italy 100 S. Murphy Avenue Sunnyvale (408) 733-9600 ilpostale.com

THE LOCAL STATE Will the elements that drove market prices in 2014 be with us in 2015?

2014 was the second consecutive year with record low inventory. In fact, Silicon Valley began this year with the lowest level of inventory in over 18 years. Even casual real estate enthusiasts are well aware of the markedly similar environment near the end of 1999 and early 2000. As low as our available supply was in January of 2000, this January 2014 launched Chris Trapani with even fewer properties Founder & CEO, for sale. Real estate has Sereno Group long been a supply and (650) 947-2901 demand driven market. serenogroup.com When listings are abundant and demand is soft, we mostly see declining values. Conversely, the climate of these past two years with historically low inventory in the face of significant and increasing demand has resulted in dramatic appreciation. The rate of this appreciation has caused some to pause wondering if we have reached a peak for this recovery and growth cycle. Real estate listing activity follows a seasonal pattern. Each January begins with the inventory low point relative to that given year. As we enter spring, new listings tend to enter the market and climb to an annual plateau sometime around mid to late summer or early fall. The fourth quarter of most every year sees a tapering off in listing count as colder weather and household priorities, holidays and other factors come into play. There are presently 10% fewer listings than during the same point of the prior year. Fast forward to January 2015, we will quite possibly have even fewer properties for sale than January of 2014. If this theory proves correct, then January of 2015 will become the inventory lowpoint record of any year dating back more than 18 years.

Our forecast is that January of 2015 will be the inventory low point of the current market cycle. We also do not see buyer demand diminishing in any significant manner.

Therefore, it’s probable that 2015 will be another year of appreciation for Silicon Valley real estate.

78

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

Rainy Hake

Executive Vice President, Alain Pinel Realtors (408) 741-1111 apr.com Is 2015 going to be a sellers or buyers market in Silicon Valley?

Real estate in the Bay Area will continue to be a good investment in 2015. CAR has reported units to be down but sales volume to be up, given constrained inventory yet increasing home prices. Home prices have finally returned to their 2007 standard, and CAR expects existing-home sales to rise 5.8% in 2015 after an expected 8.2% drop in 2014. In general, the CAR projections for 2015 are quite optimistic, forecasting that the supply of homes on the market will continue to grow, prices will flatten, and home sales will rise minimally as fewer investors will be bidding up prices. Industry sources also expect, that despite previous predictions that mortgage rates would rise, mortgage interest rates are now forecasted to remain at historic lows. Price appreciation will begin to taper off as the statewide median home price is projected to rise only 5.2%, following an unprecedented 11.8% increase this year. Affordability is a continued concern in the Bay Area where the Housing Affordability Index is projected to drop from 30% in 2014 to 27% in 2015. I foresee an increase in building and new construction to help meet demand.

However, locally, the SF Bay Area always leads the curve and our strong economic growth sets us apart from the rest of the state and nation, and 2015 should bring a more stable real estate market.

OF REAL ESTATE 2015 Do foreign buyers still see Real Estate in the San Francisco Bay Area as ideal havens for their money? Will this phenomenon continue to grow?

Foreign buyer interest in U.S. real estate only continues to grow, and the Bay Area is one of the most sought after markets for offshore buyers. Asian buyers have become the fastest-growing segment of international buyers for U.S. homes, according to the National Association of Realtors Mike James (NAR). NAR estimates President, that total international sales from Chinese buyers Coldwell Banker nearly doubled in a year, Residential Brokerage increasing to $22 billion (925) 275-3085 during the 12-month CaliforniaMoves.com period ending March 2014. Buyers in China represented 22 percent of the $92 billion spent by international buyers.

Asian buyers are attracted by the strength of our local economy, including the tech sector, the stability of the U.S. political system, our world-class universities, and the relative affordability of real estate here. While high, our real estate prices are still seen as attractive when compared with the prices in many other cities around the world.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is uniquely qualified to serve this growing market. We have the international presence in Asia that no other brokerage can match. Add to that our position as the leading brokerage company in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area, and you can see why this is a very important demographic for our company. We’ve deployed a very targeted marketing program to reach these consumers in a variety of ways, and our efforts are showing positive results in terms of Bay Area sales to offshore buyers. I suspect that trend will only grow in 2015.

How high will mortgage rates rise in 2015? Will the local market stall if rates go too high in Silicon Valley?

Consensus states, YES, expect to see a small rise in interest rates throughout 2015.

Both NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun and C.A.R.’s Vice President & Chief Economist Leslie AppletonYoung predict the rates to Tom Tognoli climb to 4.5% COO, Founder - 5%, up from Intero an average of 4.2% on a (408) 863-3000 30 year fixed InteroRealEstate.com loan in 2014.

Needless to say, rates within 2015 will stay at historically low levels.

The Silicon Valley housing demand will continue to be strong due to a local vigorous job market and tight housing supply. As 2014’s market frenzy continues to cool off bringing less multiple offer transactions, we expect 2015 to be a win-win for both sellers and buyers.

Look forward to would-be buyers having an easier time finding the home of their dreams … as well as sellers to continue to reap the rewards of a strong market with countless buyers and an ever increasing home value.

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

79

Jan Hutchins

Former News Anchor & Mayor of Los Gatos

Thinkaholics Anonymous or “What the hell were you thinking?”

K

now what is the most rampant, destructive and largely untreated disease ravaging our world, destroying lives, fomenting conflict, war, misunderstanding, misery? It might be hard for you to hear this and almost certainly challenging to understand, but you are not who you think you are. In fact, it is the very thoughts you hold about yourself and identify as your self, that create much of the suffering in your life. Certainly did in mine.

I’ve started my own deadly-playful recovery program, Thinkaholics Anonymous, dedicated to freeing us from the tyranny our thoughts. Our motto is “What the hell were you thinking?” TA helps us relieve the suffering caused by our belief in thinking. Our meetings are silent because only in the silence can we hear the thoughts for what they are and not automatically believe and identify with what they’re saying.

Don’t get me wrong, I love thinking, recognize its value as a survival mechanism and enjoy communicating ideas. I just know I’m a Thinkaholic, easily get hooked by my thoughts, and have too often “come to” after 80

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

a binge of belief-ing asking myself. “What the hell were you thinking?”

The fellow they named Buddhism after, described thinking as “the waterfall,” because we are so easily carried over a cliff by it and fall out of touch with reality. This is how it happens: The mind is always measuring our experience as either pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral. It uses all its tricks to reach out for more of the pleasant. It contracts and creates reasons to avoid, the unpleasant.

It’s bored by the neutral.

Here’s the trick. We create stories around the thoughts the mind is creating based on those sensations. It’s how we can love someone so much one minute and hate them the next. They didn’t change; the reality about how we feel about them in our heart didn’t actually change, but our thoughts about them changed in response to the sensation they just triggered in us …

To read the rest of Jan’s great article, please go to our Silicon Valley Talk website (www.siliconvalleytalk.com) and enjoy the balance under the category: “Business Owners / Health & Fitness”.

The w o d n Wi s n o i Fash rts e p x E Your one-stop source for all your interior design and home décor needs, including custom window shades, shutters, draperies, curtains and more.

247 California Drive • Burlingame, CA 94010 990 Industrial Rd. Ste 106 • San Carlos, CA 94070

650-348-1268 www.rebarts.com w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

81

Santa Clara Valley’s undiscovered wine country

By Mike Wasserman Santa Clara County Supervisor, District 1

P

urple and brown road signs have been sprouting up in South County thanks to the new Santa Clara Valley Wine Trail Route officially adopted by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Until recently, the South Santa Clara Valley Wine Region had been the “undiscovered wine country” of the Bay Area. The new Wine Trail is a 28-mile loop through Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy marked with directional wayfinding signage to help drivers locate two dozen wineries.

“Don’t Drink and Drive” signs can also be found along the route.

Many who live in Silicon Valley are surprised Mike Wasserman to learn of our region’s role as California’s first premium wine production region. The first known planting of Mission grapes took place at the Santa Clara Mission in 1798, ushering in some of the richest wine traditions of anywhere in the country. During the Gold Rush era, French and Italian immigrants who settled here recognized the rich soils and Mediterranean climate as the perfect New World home for their European grape varietals. California and Wine Industry Historians credit Santa Clara Valley as the original premium wine growing region in the modern era of winemaking in America.

Promoting our County’s assets, including our agricultural heritage, is important to me as a County Supervisor. In fact, when I first took office in 2010 I pledged to help our agricultural industry remain viable in Santa Clara County. In 2012, we overhauled the County’s outdated and unclear rules for wineries based on feedback from the local industry. The new, improved rules streamline the permitting process, reduce cost to the wineries and advance the County’s goal to promote agritourism.

I heard from our wine community that there 82

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

was a growing desire to establish a Wine Trail.

We started by identifying obstacles and then tackled them oneby-one. No single person made the Wine Trail happen. It was the result of many determined people and organizations working collaboratively towards a common goal. The Santa Clara Valley Wineries Association, the Cities of Morgan Hill and Gilroy, the Gilroy Welcome Center, the Morgan Hill Tourism Alliance, the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau, and many individuals came together to turn this dream into a reality. By working together, we were able to overcome past hurdles and create a directional sign program that is both aesthetically pleasing and promotes our local wineries -- a real win-win for our County.

The South Valley is a treasure for our County: open space, parks, farms, and of course, wineries.

We have so many award-winning wineries right here in our backyard, but not everyone knows about them. It’s time for Santa Clara County residents to stop spending hours driving to and from Napa Valley, spending $25 or more on tastings, and fighting the crowds, when they can enjoy a much better experience right here in the Santa Clara Valley.

Many South County residents have known for years what others will soon discover; that our awardwinning wineries are one of our best kept secrets in the South Bay. But it won’t be a secret for long with the new Wine Trail! I expect that we will see a steady increase in South County tourism as word spreads about our Wine Trail. Choosing to spend money locally not only supports local businesses, but it also means those tax dollars are used locally too. I hope that you will join me in supporting local agriculture and local businesses by planning a visit to the Wineries of Santa Clara Valley.

Antonella’s ITALIAN CUISINE

Antonella’s Ristorante is proud to serve fabulous food at great prices.

We do not compromise quality, and are committed to providing our guests with foods that are prepared in-house.

1701 Park Avenue San Jose (408) 279-4922 antonellasristorante.com

BANQUET & CATERING SERVICES Hold your special events on a sidewalk cafe in Tuscany.

Antonella’s Ristorante features a romantic patio that is covered and heated.

Antonella’s will cater to your needs by delivery to your party place, or hosting your event at our facility.

Antonella’s is available for semi-private and private parties. Private parties on the patio are available for groups of 25 or more. Semi-private parties can also be held on the patio. http://www.antonellasristorante.com

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

83

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

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

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 86

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

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.

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

87

WEEKEND GETAWAYS

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-

88

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

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.

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.

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.

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. w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m 8 9

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 90

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

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! w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

91

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.

92

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

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.

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

93

Carly Cleverly

Â

Finding YOUR Place in the World: Selecting a Major for the Future I applied to the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University as an incoming freshman, guided by my father’s insistence that a business degree would secure me in an ambitious career after graduation.

Unfortunately I was waitlisted, along with the vast amount of other young students with the same thinking influencing their decisions. I then switched into the College of Arts and Sciences, with a slight triumph, since I would now be able to pursue a major of my own liking. I have always loved the humanities subjects in school and knew that I would flourish in a degree such as History, English or Psychology.

Now looking back as a recent graduate, I am entirely grateful that I was able to strengthen my critical thinking and writing skills through English because 94

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

these abilities are versatile and can be used in any career. It is with dismay that I reflect on the decline of humanities majors, due to this transitional view that undergraduate majors must connect with potential careers. On the whole, I believe that my major has been better rounded and unbounded, liberated from the restricting core requirements of a business major which has little room to explore outside of their major. It is my advice to new college students that they select a major that they find sincere interest in and can enjoy. I was able to succeed in my major because I love literature and writing. If at all possible, try to deter from these ways of thinking that discourage majors that may not have obvious connections to careers.

Not all doors are created equal From inception to installation, we take great pride in our ability to provide you and your home with the finest products and service possible.

Premier Door Services, Inc. 394 State St., Los Altos • 650.559.8281

5853 Winfield Blvd., San Jose • 408.281.3219 www.premierdoorservices.biz Contractor License #790327 w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

95

The Magical World of Kevin Hauge & The Children’s Musical Theater San Jose

Y

ou have not fully lived until you have seen a musical performed at CMT San Jose. All who have, know this. And, yes, it’s true, the more shows, the merrier. And, what’s more, now celebrating its 47th year, CMT has been recognized and continues to be arguably the best youth musical theater in the country. How and why this is, is indeed very special.

It is no secret, one important reason is the brilliant Artistic Director, Kevin Hauge, who soon will be celebrating his 20th year at CMT. People wonder, people ask all the time, just how does he do it?

There are so many musical performances, back-to-back, so many children, multiple casts even, with so many who have never even acted a day in their life (not officially anyway) or even been on a stage before (act, dance, sing, in such a big 96

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

perfect production, are you kidding?) and with so little time to rehearse and prepare, just a few weeks to put it all together, from nothing to totally magnificent. And it becomes just that, the most wonderful show … every time. But how?

How does CMT do it? With this model, the youngest performers, ages 6 to 14, are placed in what is called “Rising Stars”. They perform upwards of five shows a year and many have racked up 30 theater credits by the time they age out to CMT’s next level, “Mainstage”. During Mainstage, these high school and college kids take on three shows a year from Ages 15 to 20.

In addition, CMT also provides Silicon Valley with two “Marquee” productions a year, which this year also includes the very popular Mary Poppins.

For the older productions, Kevin has a direct hand in choreographing and directing.

Even more impressive, since its founding in 1968, CMT casts everyone who auditions. If you have the guts to get in front of the artistic staff, you’re in. CMT never wants to turn anyone away for financial reasons, so scholarships are available. Even children with special needs, and performers where English is their second language, have been a part of these performances.

Raw numbers can also tell the story of CMT. Take, for example, its first Rising Stars production of this season, the Sound of Music.

The title - which Kevin secures for each of the 10 productions - along with CMT’s reputation, have led to 250 children auditioning. In a first for CMT, it went from normally a two-cast production to four casts. It also added shows both in the evenings and for school-sponsored field trips.

That’s a lot of von Trapps!

For Kevin, it was all about creating an enriching experience on stage, that a 60-person cast entails, compared to larger casts. And with more school shows, there would be twice as many opportunities for school children to experience a live performance.

Kevin would ask, “Can we continue to raise this bar, to meet the challenges of the community? I am so very pleased to have this job. The ultimate is this, where the kids can learn and grow. Getting in touch with what’s inside of them – that’s the real joy of this job. And turning it into something special. For each of them to find their niche, to find their direction, this is always something delightful.”

The families, the children, the audiences all love CMT. The shows are all fantastic productions. The children enter raw and exit

as stars. The audiences jump out of their seats with such great appreciation and the children (yes, they seem bigger than life on stage, and yet they are indeed children) have established such great relationships and wonderful memories, not just for a moment, but for a lifetime. This is the magic that you will see, hear, experience … and enjoy here, like nowhere else. It is a very unique, special and magical place.

“One key lesson is, ‘Don’t underestimate the ability of children’. People cannot believe later on, following the show, when the actors are outside to greet the audience, that they are real children. The experience of rehearsals and performances brings out and stretches something from within as far as they can go. It gives them this, the confidence, of being successful and accomplishing something wonderful …

“The greatest thing here is the life-long relationships. I still see lots of families, even if their kids are grown, who keep coming back.

And we now have children of children we had years ago who come … and we are not far off from our third generation.”

Kevin would share, “One of the greatest joys I have is being a father and the pride I have and what this experience is like. Watching the kids grow up through CMT is so very moving. We can’t take ownership for their accomplishments and growth, it’s theirs, but we certainly can and do appreciate the being in with them on the journey …

“There are six former CMT’ers who are currently on Broadway. Yes, but that number is always changing. It’s fun going to Broadway and seeing our kids. It was hard work on their part, the school work, the additional time and work that they put into getting there. We have been a part of that journey together. It is such a joy to be around … and indeed how very proud we all are. We are not a star machine. And, yes, we all take great pride in all, as many go on to become great teachers, or directors, or are usually busy in all walks of life. We are here to develop children for the joy and we take great pride in their growth and their lives. Indeed, here at CMT, we are so blessed and have so much to look forward to.”

Here’s to CMT … and Kevin Hauge … and everyone who helps to make this the very special place that it is. For children and parents and grandparents, alike … people of all ages… and many wonderful memories for the ages … Here’s to this special, joyful and exciting magic … Enjoy! www.cmtsj.org w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m 9 7

PHELPS & COHEN Eric Phelps, DDS, MS • Jason Cohen, DDS, MS

ORTHODONTICS

At our office, consultations are complimentary. This article includes some frequently asked questions and answers from orthodontics consultations.

I see a lot of kids with braces at eight or nine years old. Isn’t that too young?

Although eight and nine year olds typically still have 12 primary teeth, many children this age can greatly benefit from early orthodontic treatment, also known as Phase I Orthodontics. Reasons for early treatment include: severe crowding, impacted teeth, jaw size discrepancies, crossbites, and many more.

While the American Association of Orthodontics recommends that all children have an orthodontic evaluation no later than age 7, a simple ‘Rule of Thumb’ is: “Eight is great, nine is fine!”

Am I too old for orthodontic treatment?

Over the past three years, about a third of the consultations at our office have been for adults.

No matter what your age, if you have healthy teeth and healthy gum tissue and bone around your teeth then you are a candidate for orthodontics.

PRIMARY MOLARS

I have been told that I need four bicuspids extracted because my teeth are crowded. What is your opinion?

With the development of self-ligating braces (we use Damon braces: www.damonbraces.com), I believe it is easier to create enough space to avoid extractions in most cases. The extra space typically is created by widening the arch form which results in a nice, broad, esthetic smile. Avoiding extractions is another great reason for Phase I Orthodontics (as shown in the images below).

Creating more arch width in an eight or nine year old patient often provides enough space to avoid the need for bicuspid extraction.

On the other hand, a primary goal of treatment is to get the incisors (front teeth) in an esthetic and functional position. Sometimes bicuspid extraction is needed to achieve orthodontic treatment goals.

Can you tell me about Invisalign?

Invisalign is a treatment option for patients that would like to have their teeth moved but are not

PHASE 1 ORTHODONTICS CREATING SPACE FOR PERMANENT CANINES

MADE SPACE FOR BICUSPIDS AND CANINES

(AVOIDED NEED FOR BICUSPID EXTRACTION)

NO ROOM FOR ADULT CANINES

PHELPS

Eric Phelps, DDS, MS • Jason Cohen, DDS, MS 2075 Forest Avenue, Suite 2 San Jose, CA 95128

ORTHODONTICS

(408) 298-3433 Fax (408) 298-6304 http://www.phelpscohenortho.com

& COHEN 98

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

interested in wearing braces. We now have an iTero digital scanner at the office that produces a digital 3D model of the patients upper and lower set of teeth in just over 10 minutes. No more impressions!!! Digital models are more accurate than models created from impressions and can be uploaded instantly to Align Technology for treatment planning. The orthodontist uses advanced Invisalign software to create ideal final positions of all teeth. A series of high-tech clear plastic aligners are then produced that move teeth in small increments.

great time to be a Bay Area sports fan because of the success of our local teams. In my opinion, it is even a greater time to be a parent of a sports fan because of great role models like Buster Posey and Patrick Willis!

For more information visit: www.invisalign.com

I would like to thank the San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers for supporting our inaugural charity concert in Campbell, CA on September 1st, 2012 in support of the Foundation for Ichthyosis and Related Skin Types (FIRST).

Please read about ichthyosis on the following page and join us for next year’s concert at the Flint Center in Cupertino on September 7th, 2013.

Why is everyone wearing jerseys?

Eric Phelps, DDS, MS

Everyone Wednesday and Saturday are jersey days at our office. We started the tradition a few years back and it has become a highlight for our staff and patients. Jerseys create some interesting conversations, especially when one of our assistants wears her Dodgers jersey. It is a

For more information about our practice (offices in San Jose and Pleasanton), please visit our website at www.phelpscohenortho.com.

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m 9 9

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 100

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

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

Featured Mountain View Business

La Fiesta Restaurant Unsurpassed Mexican Cuisine Since 1977 — A Tradition in Downtown Mountain View The Garcia-Lopez family invites you to enjoy our family recipes that have been handed down to us for generations. From our “Mole Poblano” to our “Grandma’s Special”, enjoy the taste and ambiance of Mexico. We feature the greatest Margaritas, more than 200 Blue Agave Tequilas & a wide selection of beers.

Thank you all - We appreciate again being voted: The Best Mexican Restaurant in Mountain View by the Mountain View Voice, The Best Margarita in Mountain View by the Mountain View Voice and also The Best Mexican Restaurant in Silicon Valley by the Metro.

Open 7 Days a Week for Lunch and Dinner, plus a Champagne/Sangria Brunch Saturday and Sunday. Banquet facilities available with seating up to 40. Wonderful for Birthdays, Weddings, Anniversaries, Engagements, Quincineras - any and all Special Events and Get Togethers - for Families and Friends.

La Fiesta Restaurant

www.lafiestarestaurant.net

240 Villa Street (between Castro & Calderon Streets), Mountain View. CA 94041

Telephone: (650) 968-1364

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m 1 0 1

TOP

10

Reasons to Shop at Local Stores

Y

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.

1 0 2 w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

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.

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.

Supporting Regional Agriculture

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 w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

103

Looking Down Not Up

By Andy Dolich

At a recent sports industry forum there was a fair amount of discussion regarding the “Looking Down Not Up” media mode of how Millennials and many other two-eyed creatures are consuming their favorite spectator sports.

It’s yesterday’s news, especially in Siliconia, the worldwide capital of innovation, that our lives are crowded with super communicating devices. The sports world continues to keep shrinking through hyperconnectivity. There are several mega-trends that I’ve diagnosed which are changing, cash registering and confusing the sporting landscape.

A PICTURE’S WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS Technology sometimes hinders human integration. It’s clear that millions of us now communicate through pictures and videos and less in words, especially if they are big with lots of letters. The heck with baseball cards, box scores, 8x10 glossies and printed programs - let me send you an Instagram. Here’s a shot of my favorite linebacker walking his Schnauzer in Santa Clara.

The positive interactivity of fans at games is going to be changed if we pay no attention to the fans sitting right next to us.

104

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

CONTENT IS KING Why would you want to buy a super pricey ticket to sit behind home plate when MLB.com offers access to every one of its 2,430 regular season games for $130? We now have NFL Red Zone, NHL Center Ice, NBA Gametime and MLS Live. There is so much video and statistical information that you’ll need to have as many eyes as the Jumping Spider who has four sets to watch the cornucopia of choices. Looking down is becoming much more compelling, Look Up and you may miss something. Confusing.

WHOSE DEN IS IT ANYWAY? The visual experience of viewing a game in a stadium has been changed by the Cowboys gargantuan LED center hung “galaxy’s largest” TV at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. No matter how hard you try to look down at actual players and live game action on the field your eyes will be pulled to the board. This is an analog of the Looking Down Not Up equation but, nonetheless, it takes you away from live action.

Fans want the best possible experience and they will determine which way they want to watch/communicate with their favorite teams/ sports. That being said, it’s hard to give a standing ovation with a phone in your hand. Sports fans are the ultimate committed customers - they will do what they want no matter what the marketing mavens have up their sleeves.

Featured Great Mall Business

Where everything is

FRESH

( 4 0 8 ) 2 6 3 - 5 4 0 0 | W W W. O U T B A C K . C O M 1246 Great Mall Drive (Located in the Great Mall) Milpitas, CA 95035 w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m 1 0 5

Dedicated from The City to 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

106

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

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 w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

107

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 108

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

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’?” w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

109

Silicon Valley Non-Profits

I

Introducing Silicon Valley Non-Profits!

n this day and age, many of us are looking for purpose and asking ourselves how we can help make a difference in our community and our world.

If we were to ask ourselves, where would we be without our Non-Profits, that’s a good question - they do a lot! With them, it’s hard enough in our world. Without them, it would be unthinkable. Indeed, we have many Non-Profits doing great works and they are always looking for people, like you, who can and would like to help.

110

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

At the same time, there are many people, like you and me, who wonder what specifically more we can do with our money or, especially, just by volunteering – indeed, what a difference that does and will make.

The greatest gift of all is in the giving and what a big positive difference it makes in the lives of others. In Silicon Valley Non-Profits, learn about various great people and great organizations doing great things. May it become a growing Resource for you and many others, there’s nothing like teamwork, that can help us all in making a big positive difference for a better community here at Home.

Housing Trust Silicon Valley works to make our community a more affordable place to live by increasing the supply of affordable housing, assisting first-time homebuyers, and preventing homelessness.

Since 2000, Housing Trust Silicon Valley has invested over $75 million in our community and created over 10,000 affordable afforda housing opportunities.

Leading the way home for Silicon Valley Residents www.housingtrustsv.org I 408.436.3450 I info@housingtrustsv.org w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

111

Your child has just been diagnosed with a developmental, medical, psychological, learning or other issue — what now?

You are not alone.

Parents Helping Parents strives to improve the quality of life for any child with any special need of any age, through educating, supporting and training their primary caregivers.

Parents Helping Parents Sobrato Center for Nonprofits–San Jose 1400 Parkmoor Avenue Suite 100 San Jose, CA 95126 www.php.com | (408) 727-5775

Coverage for every child Santa Clara Family Health Foundation (SCFHF) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization whose focus is on raising funds to support the Healthy Kids insurance program and the Children’s Health Initiative in Santa Clara County. Through the Foundation, community leaders, community members, foundations, corporations, local businesses, friends, and other supporters can contribute funds to help achieve the goal of providing every child in Santa Clara County with access to quality health care through insurance.

We believe that one uninsured child is one too many. If you have a child or know a family with children who do not have health coverage, live in Santa Clara County and the family maximum monthly income is below $5,700 for a family of four, please call us at 1-877680-4555 or visit our website.

Santa Clara

Family Health Foundation www.healthyfamilyfund.org (408) 874-1999 w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

113

Join the STEM movement at STEMpower[ed]!

At Silicon Valley Education Foundation, we support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education as the gateway to 21st century jobs. Our STEMpower[ed] website is an easy-to-use site to help parents and educators find the best STEM programs to create that critical spark in their students.

Visit stempowered.svefoundation.org for the one-stop-shop for STEM education in the Silicon Valley.

About SVEF: Silicon Valley Education Foundation (SVEF) is a not-for-profit resource and advocate for students and educators. We are dedicated to raising student performance in the critical areas of STEM.

Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley

Strengthening families, Changing lives.

“Our daughter started the year suicidal.

Thanks to her therapist, she’s now in better emotional shape than she’s been in many years.”

- Parents of a teenager served

through our school-based clinical counseling services

You can help!

Each year, we reach more than 7,000 children, teens, and adults in Silicon Valley in need of counseling and support.

We invite you to join us in strengthening families and changing lives.

Find volunteer opportunities, ways to give, special event dates, and news: | www.fcservices.org | 650.326.6576 | 408.292.9353 Based in Palo Alto and San Jose. Serving our neighbors at community-based locations throughout Silicon Valley.

Continuing a tradition of service since 1948.

To protect the privacy of our clients, we use licensed stock photography for illustrative purposes.

DO GOOD

BY DONATING YOUR GOODS!

SHOP • DONATE • VOLUNTEER

Cabinets Doors Appliances Electrical Tiles Plumbing Paint Lighting Flooring Hardware Tools Windows

DONATE your new and reusable building materials, appliances, cabinets, furniture, tools, and home improvement materials to help build affordable housing. Your donation may be tax deductible and pick-up service is available in the East Bay and Silicon Valley.

Drop-offs end 30 minutes before closing.

PROcEEDS from the ReStore help build Habitat for Humanity homes in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara counties, making the dream of homeownership a reality for families with limited incomes. Habitat East Bay/Silicon Valley brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.

BayAreaReStores.org • 800-SHOP-090 (800-746-7090)

OAKLAND 9235 San Leandro St. 116

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

SAN JOSE 1008 S. 2nd St.

SAN JOSE 1608 Las Plumas Ave.

You a r e

CoRdIAllY INVITed to a

SpeCIAl ToUR of

VAlleY MedICAl CeNTeR in San JoSe

Join us for a special insider’s tour which will include a look at our state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Rehabilitation Center and highlight the new construction on the VMC campus.

Schedule Your Tour

About VMC Foundation

Tours are scheduled on an ongoing basis. If you are interested, please call 408.885.5206 or email vmcfoundation@hhs.sccgov.org. Individuals and groups—large and small—are welcome.

VMC Foundation raises donations from the community on behalf of our hospital and the entire Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System. The Foundation seeks these funds for programs that support community well-being, improve the quality of care, and promote access to medical treatment for all residents of Santa Clara County regardless of their ability to pay.

Valley Medical Center 751 South Bascom Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128

w w w. s v l o c a l m a g . c o m

117

Pe t er C assara C lot hiers

S un n y va l e - M en ’s S ui t - M en ’s Dr e s s - I ta l i a n S ui t s

pe terc assara

842 West El Camino Real, Sunnyvale 408-733-1234

w w w. p e t e r c a s s a r a c l o t h i e r s . c o m