Silicon Valley Leadership Group turns 40
It’s been quite a summer for the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, which has turned 40 with an equal measure of looking back and looking forward.
Much of the looking back happened at a huge 40th anniversary bash in
July, a black-tie dinner at the San Jose Marriott that drew a crowd of more than 425 people. The program -- billed as “long on fun” -- included remarks from Silicon Valley Leadership Group CEO Carl Guardino, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and Peter Giles, who led the group for its first decade. Even the entertainment featured business leaders: The band Legally Blue includes Synopsys co-CEO Aart de Geus and VMC Foundation CEO Chris Wilder.
The party was a culmination of the “Winning Together” theme that Guardino had been blogging about on the SVLG website, charting 40 of the group’s regional accomplishments since its Hewlett Packard cofounder David Packard brought together the 33 charter members in the summer of 1977.
It’s an interesting read through the history of the valley that grew over the past four decades, including some major community initiatives that included campaigns to bring BART to San Jose and electrify Caltrain, the “1,000 Hearts for 1,000 Minds” tutoring program, the launch of the Women & Girls Leadership Summit and the beginnings of the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot, the Santa Run and the Heart & Soles Run -- which have simultaneously provided activity and fundraising for community needs.
Guardino says the group won’t be resting on its laurels, though. On its “to do” list for the year are initiatives to tackle what Guardino calls “THE” issues -- traffic, housing and education. That means crafting regional traffic solutions, pushing the state Legislature to do more on affordable housing and creating partnerships between 19 Bay Area community colleges -- and their 300,000 students -and employers.
But first it gets to end the anniversary summer with another big event: Its Game Changers summit at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View on Sept. 14 will feature John Chiang, Delaine Eastin and Antonio Villaraigosa, three of the candidates who will be battling Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom to replace Jerry Brown as governor next year.
TAUBE ADDS TO HURRICANE HARVEY RELIEF >>
It’s not just Beyonce and President Donald Trump who are putting big money behind Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Bay Area-based Taube Philanthropies, led by Tad Taube, has made a $1 million challenge grant to All Hands Volunteers, a disaster relief organization that is part of the effort.
With the tragedy having a significant impact on Houston’s Jewish community just weeks before the Jewish High Holy Days, Taube Philanthropies specified that $100,000 of the grant support that community’s needs.
ALL DRESSED UP >>
They say Elvis is everywhere, and it must be true. The King of Rock and Roll -- who (allegedly) died 40 years ago Aug. 16 -- made an appearance last Sunday at Cancer CAREpoint’s Garden Party fundraiser at the Saratoga home of Gretchen and Jim Mair. OK, it might have actually been Cancer CAREpoint Executive Director Rob Tufel in a jumpsuit and wig, who went all out to tout a Las Vegas vacation auction item.
Tufel wasn’t the only one to get into the costume idea: Former San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed dressed up in 18th century Colonial gear to pump up the bidding a “Hamilton” trip to New York City.
Maybe the dressing up made a difference, as the event brought in $280,000 for the non-profit’s programs to support cancer patients and their families.
SEASONAL CELEBRATION >>
Summer’s still hanging on, but the Silicon Valley Fall Festival will herald the return of autumn on Sept. 9 at Memorial Park in Cupertino. The Rotary Club of Cupertino is presenting the community celebration, which will feature a robotics competition, marching bands, an art exhibition and plenty of food and music.
As its falling on Admission Day -- the date California became a state in 1850 -- there’ll also be “birthday” cupcakes for the state and mooncakes -a traditional Chinese staple -- to honor the coming of autumn. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., admission is free and parking is available at De Anza College. Get more information at www.sv-ff. com.
CONCERT FUNDRAISER >>
Many of us are concentrating relief efforts on the Gulf region right now, but drummer Akira Tana and others are still doing their part to help Japan recover from the devastating earthquake and tsunami there in 2011. Otonowa, featuring Tana and other musicians playing jazz interpretations of Japanese folk songs, will headline the Tohoku Tsunami Relief Benefit Concert on Sept. 9 at Mitchell Park Community Center in Palo Alto.
The fundraiser, which runs from noon to 5 p.m., includes children’s activities and an update and Q&A on relief efforts. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $15 for students and $10 for kids 12 and under. Email Tohokutomodachi@gmail.com to purchase seats in advance.
DON’T MISS OUT >>
Tickets for the seventh annual Hoot & Howl -- the fantastic fundraiser for the San Jose’s Happy Hollow Foundation on Sept. 9 -are going fast, Happy Hollow Foundation Executive Director Heather Lerner says. The bash annually draws more than 700 people to Happy Hollow Park & Zoo for an evening filled with food, cocktails, dancing and even some animal visits.
Lerner says that this year’s event, with the theme “French Pop!,” is more important than ever following the Coyote Creek flood that devastated parts of the zoo, especially in behind-the-scenes areas the public doesn’t see. “Right now, we’re all still about flood recovery,” said Lerner.