Have Fun in Mountain View California

San Francisco For First Timers | Information

hmgmanagement — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:36:33 +0000

Overlooking a magnificent bay on the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco is a thriving city for residents and visitors from around the world. The city has 8.3 million residents and a booming tourism industry. This vitality is thanks to San Francisco’s vibrant business scene and nonstop attractions. For those who have never been to this Californian hotspot, here is some information about things to do in San Francisco.

Places to visit

1. Pier 39.

Although there are many active piers in San Francisco, Pier 39 continues to be one of the most popular for tourists. With shops, restaurants and more, Pier 39 is always busy with people looking to get their first taste of the city. The sea lions are often visible, lounging on the nearby wharf. There is also an aquarium featuring creatures from the bay and a historic carousel.

2. The Golden Gate Bridge.

There are few things more iconic than the Golden Gate Bridge. This massive suspension bridge spans over the bay and has been named one of the wonders of the modern world. Built in the 1930s, this impressive structure remains a defining feature of the city. While it can be time-consuming to cross the bridge on some days, it is worth finding a good view. Two of the most popular spots include South Vista Point and Fort Point. Some people also choose to walk or bike across the bridge, which is a good alternative during rush hour.

3. Ghiardelli Square.

Located near Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghiardelli Square is a historical gathering point in the city. The square is often crowded thanks to the popular eateries and shops that call the area home. The square is named for the D. Ghirardelli Company, which produces delectable chocolate and is still located in the square today. There is also a fountain and a clock tower, and Ghiardelli Square is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

4. Alcatraz Island.

Although most people come to the city for leisure, that has not always been the case. Alcatraz Island is situated just off the coast and was used historically to house some of the most notorious criminals in America. Due to the cost of operating the facility, Alcatraz was shuttered as a prison in the 1960s. After that, the island was abandoned until it was used by Native Americans during a protest. Eventually, Alcatraz was declared a historic landmark and now operates tours for guests.

5. Hippie Quarter.

The city has always been known for its progressive attitude, which is why it is no surprise that many hippies called the city home during the 1960s. In particular, hippies seemed to gather together, especially in the neighborhoods of Haight and Ashbury. Although the hippie movement has faded from mainstream culture, the counter-cultural vibe is still strong in this area. As an added bonus, Haight-Ashbury is also home to the famous Painted Lady Victorian row homes.

6. Downtown.

While there is plenty to do all throughout the city, downtown is still a popular choice for visitors and locals alike. Downtown is full of energy thanks to the multitude of businesses located there. Not only is there exclusive high-end shopping, but there are also museums, restaurants, galleries and so much more. Plus, with over 400 high-rise buildings, the streets are quite impressive. Many guests check out the famous Transamerica Pyramid with its distinctive shape.

This is where you will find delicious meals:

1. Breakfast.

To start off a day about the city, be sure to try Mama’s. Located on Washington Square, Mama’s commands huge crowds every day it is open. Some of the most popular menu items include French toast and eggs Benedict. Mama’s has been open for over 50 years and continues to cater to the crowds with hearty meals that are both familiar and unexpected. In addition to the menu for breakfast and lunch, there is also a popular bake shop located in the restaurant featuring a wide range of baked goods.

8. Lunch.

For a midday break, try the Rotunda at Neiman Marcus. This quintessential eatery is a high-end treat, but many guests find the experience worthwhile. Not only is the dining room immaculate, but the food is expertly prepared and diligently served. More than all that, the ambiance is impossible to beat. The restaurant is located at the top of the building, giving diners a view of the exquisite glass dome. The dining area also features a view of the atrium, which looks down four floors over the rest of the building.

9. Tea.

Tea is not considered an American pastime, but tea rooms are easy to find in San Francisco. When looking for things to do during a visit, trying tea time can be a nice treat. While there is ample information about many tea rooms in the area, one of the best places to start is Lovejoy’s. Lovejoy’s strives to be cozy and eclectic, featuring mismatched decor and homemade touches. There is a full range of options to consider for tea, including bottomless pots, sandwiches, fruit and more.

10. Dinner.

With so much activity in the city, there is plenty of information about dinner options. However, for a unique experience, consider trying Kokkari Estiatorio. One of the benefits of Kokkari Estiatorio is its unusual menu, which features foods “fit for the gods.” Because of this, Kokkari Estiatorio has a strong Greek flair with options like Feta sto Furno or Spanakotiropita. There is also a popular bar and an impressive wine list to consider. Although the price tag may be a bit high, most people who dine at Kokkari Estiatorio think it is entirely worthwhile.

This information is just the start. With so many things to do, see and experience throughout the city, it is no wonder that tourists continue to visit San Francisco from around the world. In fact, many guests find that one visit is not enough and return to this iconic city on the bay time and time again. Discover the wonder for yourself and visit San Francisco for the first time today.

Contact author:

Scott Seymore Property Manager
Twitter @San Francisco

Google+ profile for author connection: https://plus.google.com/117708923500031361320/posts

Celebrate Every Irish Nights in Silicon Valley: Surprising Pubs and Excitement

hmgmanagement — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 02:24:46 +0000

If you’re ready for a night of Irish-style frolicking and fun, you’ll want to head on over to Silicon Valley, where you’ll find that more than a little of the Old Country has taken root. Silicon Valley now plays host to a wide variety of popular, convivial Irish pubs where the Guinness never stops flowing and where you don’t have to be Irish to participate in a little comradely blarney.
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Here are a few of Silicon Valley’s most popular Irish pubs:

O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub

At O’Flaherty’s, you’ll find an authentic a bit of old Ireland; in fact, it’s so authentic, a number of regular patrons are Irish-born themselves. Located in downtown San Jose, O’Flaherty’s is the No. 1 seller of Guinness in all of Silicon Valley, largely due to the fact that it serves Guinness on draft, which you can’t always find in other pubs. This, plus the pub’s authentic-styled ambiance, is probably also the reason that O’Flaherty’s was chosen to host the Irish rugby team during its recent visit to California. If you’re craving dark wood walls, brass rails and draft Guinness, then you’ll find everything you crave at O’Flaherty’s.

The Duke of Edinburgh

As one of the oldest pubs in Silicon Valley, the Duke of Edinburgh also offers a truly authentic experience that literally includes its four walls. That’s because its entrepreneurs ordered the pub to be built-in England in 1983, after which the pieces were exported to Oakland in a container ship and reconstructed in Cupertino. Everything from the ceiling and walls to the carpeting on the floor is from England.

The Duke of Edinburgh is a warm and friendly place, but according to its loyal regulars, it’s not a youth-oriented party pub where youngsters can get rip-roaring drunk and try to pick up dates all night. Instead, it’s a place to meet and talk, have darts games and watch soccer games on television.

Martins West Gastropub

If you want to combine your Irish pub experience with a bit of authentic Old Country fare, then you can’t do better than to visit Martins West Gastropub, where you’ll find a menu that includes bona fide pub dishes such as black pudding and Scottish eggs. Martins is modeled after another Martins, located in Scotland, and according to chef Michael Dotson, who has visited the original, the Old Country portion of its menu harkens back to its Scottish-based counterpart.

As a nod to California, however, this pub also features local delights such as pheasant and leek sausage and organic burgers. In addition, the bar offers a number of artisan farmhouse ales to go with its roster of traditional Irish favorites.

Whether you’re looking for draft Guinness and black pudding, or a pint of farmhouse ale and a bit of conversation and telly watching, you’re sure to satisfy your cravings for the Old Country with a visit to Silicon Valley.

Where to find the best pubs with the best people? PUBS AND PUB culture has found fertile ground in Silicon Valley. Whether old school like Cupertino’s Duke of Edinburgh and the Trials in … You voted for the best Irish Pub in Silicon Valley, and we counted. Check out the results below.

5 Incredible Bands Who Will Be Playing In April around San Francisco

hmgmanagement — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 04:50:55 +0000

Talib Kweli at the DNA Lounge, April 4th:

Now that Talib Kweli has finalized production on his forthcoming album, he is bringing his signature brand of socially conscious hip-hop to San Francisco. Epitomizing his cultural awareness with the title of his new record, “Prisoner of Conscious,” Talib Kweli delivers an uninterrupted, stream-of-consciousness flow that conveys unflappable attitude and smug wisdom with brutal confidence. This live act showcases the precision of a rap legend as he rhymes smoothly over complicated beats and a jazzy gospel backdrop.

Every show Talib Kweli performs is personable and sincere as he emotionally shares his nonchalant serenity with the crowd. He knows how to give the best hip-hop performance possible and is ready to reconfigure, revitalize and revolutionize rap once again.

Mudhoney at Slim’s, April 12th:

A classic grunge odyssey returns to San Francisco with Mudhoney on tour commemorating their 25th Anniversary. The special occasion coincides with the release of their tenth studio album, “Vanishing Point,” which the band is promoting with ferocity. Fusing blues, jam band and punk elements together allows Mudhoney to freely traverse the field of rock music. Their front man, Mark Arm, is notorious for his vociferously raspy screams and groans. The wailing guitars and guttural basses create an enveloping ambiance of nostalgia for music of the early 1990s.

With an abusive knack for feedback and atonal minor chords, Mudhoney has kept the emphatically apathetic grunge movement alive for over two decades.

Dropkick Murphys at The Warfield, April 16th:

This seven-piece Irish punk band brings a relentless Celtic rock barrage to San Francisco. Dropkick Murphys generates an incomparably uproarious party atmosphere complete with a stomping mosh pit. In a righteous and uptempo fashion, they unleash an accordion assault accompanied by layers of banjo and bagpipes. Equipped with deep bass, impeccably rapid drums, and gritty electric guitar riffing, Dropkick Murphys consistently demonstrates explosive raw performance skills in their live show and are known for perfectionism and flawless musical abilities. The aggressive edginess of their sound always has a jovial backbone of comradery and celebration.

Having just released their defiant new album, “Signed and Sealed in Blood,” Dropkick Murphys are enjoying an intensely passionate streak of punk-rock glory. This band is fiery and in their prime, which is invigorating and possessing them into putting on a powerhouse of a punk show that is not to be missed.

Infected Mushroom & Zeds Dead at The Regency Ballroom, April 20th:

When it comes to psychedelic electronic music, Infected Mushroom reigns supreme. Originating in Israel, this duo continues to re-invent the genre of dub-step. Their newest venture, “Army of Mushrooms,” innovates trance music and evolves it to new levels of complexity. Incorporating extreme fluctuations in tempo and mathematical shifts in rhythm, Infected Mushroom has a live act that is transcendentally intoxicating.

Relying on extraordinarily elaborate beats and an ingenious use of synthesizers, Infected Mushroom is guaranteed to transform the perception of music in San Francisco. By combining their intricate musical show with a personalized visual experience, this group promises every one of their live shows is one of a kind. The meshing of both elements is mind altering and consciousness expanding. Unexpected forays into pop vocalizations and metal drumming interludes are a mainstay of their act. All attendees should be prepared for non-stop reverberations and heavy warbling. Zeds Dead supports with an equally mesmerizing demonstration of the glitch-step genre.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Fillmore, April 22nd:

As an indie-rock outlet, the band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is at the zenith of professionalism. Their niche is a strain of classic rock revivalism blended with alternative folksy crooning. In a ghostly atmospheric sound scape, these effervescent rockers shows off the expansive range of the acoustic-electric guitar. Never to be classified in a single genre, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club applies low-fidelity garage rock tones to meandering folk blues rhythms to produce hauntingly full-bodied music.

Because this band was originally formed in San Francisco, this show is set to be especially vibrant and forceful as thanks to the dedicated locals. It is sure to be a momentous performance in the wake of their new album “Specter at the Feast.”

Fun Adventures In And Around The Silicon Valley Written by Jean-Pierre Prieur

hmgmanagement — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 19:16:58 +0000

Adults looking for interesting experiences in and around the Silicon Valley will not be disappointed. From the seas, to the stars, to the scenery, activities abound. Here are some things to do that, together, offer an eclectic and diverse array of experiences for adults to enjoy.

The Lick Observatory

Science and scenery make for a uniquely stimulating experience at the Lick Observatory. This active research facility is located at the summit of Mt. Hamilton in the Diablo Range east of San Jose and the Silicon Valley.
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At 4200 ft elevation, views are fabulous even with the naked eye. Time your visit in conjunction with the telescope schedule, and escape your terrestrial confines as you peer out into the heavens.

NASA’s Ames Exploration Center

NASA maintains the Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, 15 minutes northwest of San Jose. It is one of ten such NASA centers in the country, dedicated to advancing NASA’s various key missions. At the entrance is the Ames Exploration Center, where there are many things to do.

At 10:30am on weekdays and 11:30am on weekends, the staff leads visitors on a tour of the solar system. At 2pm on weekdays and at 3pm on weekends, there’s an hour-long presentation on the Mars Rover Curiosity. Opening in late March is the Shuttle Cockpit Simulator, which demonstrates how Ames researchers continue to improve the interaction between humans and computers. On display is a sample of lunar rock retrieved by the crew of Apollo 15 from the Moon’s Hadley-Apennine region.

Immersive theater offers Hi-Def videos of simulated journeys through the Milky Way and Mars mission visualizations. Also on display is the original wind tunnel version of SOFIA, the stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy. This air-borne observatory is designed to supplement the work of the Hubble and other space telescopes and earth-based observatories as well.

The Red and White Fleet

Board one of the ships of the Red and White Fleet at Pier 43 1/2 in the heart of Fisherman’s Wharf and you’ll participate in a Bay area tradition that dates back to 1892. This family owned business offers the sightseeing expertise that will be appreciated. Seating is offered both inside and out.

The Golden Gate Bay Cruise occurs many times daily beginning at 10am. This one hour cruise includes views of Alcatraz and the many sites throughout the Bay area. Headphone narration is offered in 12 different languages. The Bridge-to-Bridge Tour lasts an hour and a half and treats passengers to endless views of both the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay Bridge.

The Red and White Fleet offers both daytime and sunset cruises. The San Francisco skyline will deliver fabulous views at any time of day. From spring through fall, the two-hour California Sunset Cruise delivers to you the richly hued colors of San Francisco Bay. Liquid libations midst this seafaring experience will be especially savored at the cash bars. Evening tours are replete with an appetizer buffet and live guitar music. Beer, wine, and soda are also included.

The Fish Market

Great seafood options abound at The Fish Market, whether you go to their Palo Alto or San Jose locations. Try the smoked rainbow trout for an appetizer. Swordfish is included among the main entrees. One reviewer said she was so impressed by the staff that she came back with a couple dozen cupcakes for them.

Carry Nations in Los Gatos

This cocktail bar in downtown Los Gatos is a perfect place to unwind and share in the memories of the day’s adult activities across the Silicon Valley. week night are a particularly relaxing time to enjoy an after-dinner drink served up by one of the cordial bartenders.
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Articles written by Jean-Pierre Prieur - Copyright ©2013 mountainviewfun.com - All Rights Reserved

San Francisco’s Top 3 Burgers to Try – Enjoy a Tasty Meal in the Bay Area Recommended by JP Prieur

hmgmanagement — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 17:30:22 +0000

San Francisco burgers are a tradition that is like baseball apple pie and Chevrolet. A good Hamburger is often illusive and keeps itself hidden. Some people claim they know a good burger place but then you get there and the place is just like the regular old run of the mill “B” place. Well here is a collection of burger places that take the meaning of a great burger to a new level of expectations.
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Try Super Duper Burgers, with three locations in San Francisco, Two on Market St and one on Chester. Their hours of operation are from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm . Super Duper Burgers offers a traditional California styled “B” that is out f this world. For starters there’s the traditional ¾ lb burger created from Angus Beef. All the trimmings like tomatoes, lettuce, and ketchup are available to help make that burger of choice special. What really makes Super Duper Burger shine is that they make a Portobello Mushroom burger that is smashing The large mouth-watering burger just entices you to bite right into it. Homemade pickles are made right at Super Doopers and let me tell you they are the best pickles you can get A great burger wouldn’t be the best without a fantastic order of homemade style fire. Super Dooper has fries, onion rings and many other tantalizing choices to toss into your Gourmet “B” combination. This place is the best!

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Try the Roam’s Artisan Burgers with Friends, located on Fillmore St in San Francisco is another awesome choice to experience the taste of a mouth-watering Bison Burger. Bison Burgers are 100% free range fed and offer one of the leanest meats available. The juicy burger’s that Roam’s Artisan Burgers create from Free range Turkeys are the talk of San Francisco. Turkey know for its healthy and lean properties is prepared in a Turkey Patty that make your mouth water when you take a bite of this gourmet hamburger . Maybe your into the health scene well Roams Artisan Burgers has another great feature that isn’t offered anywhere else in San Francisco. Homemade organic Veggie Burgers are yours for the taking. Roam’s Artisan Burgers shows off its uniqueness with this combination of healthy food fare.
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You have to Try the “Pearls Deluxe Burgers” on Post St is off the hook when it comes to traditional style and flavored burgers. San Francisco and its tradition of “B” places are many, but there are those hamburger places that are truly a cut above the rest. Pearl’s Deluxe Burgers is one of those Burger places! With 15 choices of different burgers the menu is full of choices. Buffalo, chicken, turkey, mushroom, are just a few of the many type’s of burgers that Pearl’s offers its guest. San Francisco tourist who visit this Burger joint should know they have been to dine at a place that is one of the best on the northern California Coastline.

A visit to SF without taking a taste of one of these “B” creations will leave the site seeing tourist famished and with substance, don’t miss out at the rare opportunity of feasting on these top hamburger establishments.

Visit Cloud Connect at Santa Clara Convention Center in April 2013

hmgmanagement — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 06:43:22 +0000

Be informed and inspired at “Cloud Connect 2013,” April 2nd thru the 5th at the Santa Clara Convention Center. Cloud Connect serves to bring all categories of cloud constituents together in ways that are meaningful. This includes cloud computing innovators, developers, enterprise IT professionals, infrastructure providers, and service providers.
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Keynote speakers will include Michael Barrett, PayPal’s Chief Information Security Officer. William Ruh, a General Electric VP and Global Technology Director, will speak on the emerging industrial Internet. David McCrory will discuss the important concept of data gravity. He is a Sr VP of DSP Engineering for the Warner Music Group.

Cisco’s Lew Tucker will offer a comprehensive view of cloud computing, SDN, and the “Internet of Everything.” He is the VP and Chief Technology Officer of Cloud Computing at Cisco.

The goal at Cloud Connect 2013 is simple — to bring IT professionals, executives and others together in a vendor-neutral environment so that they can access the latest information pertaining to cloud innovations and opportunities. Workshops will also allow in-depth learning in areas like cloud security, big data, and advanced private clouds.
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The case for the importance of Cloud Connect is easy to make. Gartner projects more substantial growth in cloud spending. In 2012, it calculated a 19 percent increase, to $109 billion. Businesses of all types and sizes are now migrating to the cloud, and they require the tools to succeed at implementation.

UBM Tech produces Cloud Connect as both a conference and an exhibition. UBM has produced such events since 2008, like the Enterprise Cloud Summit at Interop. UBM Tech’s mission remains to bring the cloud’s constituents together in vital and important ways. Cloud Connect 2013 is another opportunity to help to inform the marketplace.

UBM Tech is a worldwide enterprise that delivers marketing and data services to the IT industry. It also conveys important business information via events like Cloud Connect, and through media and training as well.

UBM embraces the entire technology ecosystem so as to offer relevant and comprehensive insight to everyone participating in that system. This includes everyone from the engineers designing the next device to the developers creating apps for it. It also includes the telecommunications experts behind the infrastructure and the executives who turn that device into new levels of value for the customer.

Join together with others to help chart the future course of cloud computing from April 2-5, 2013 at the Santa Clara Convention Center.

Santa Clara Coin Stamp Show 2013 Will Be Fantastic

hmgmanagement — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 06:32:31 +0000

At Griffin Coins, we are interested in the buying and selling of San Francisco coins. We specialize in the Mint gold and silver coins, but we will consider all other types of rare coins and paper money from around the world, including the United States. It is our privilege to see what you have collected over the years, and we will offer great prices for your collection.

We will be at the Santa Clara Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Show to check out various coins and collections that people will bring to the show. This show will be held at the At the Santa Clara Convention Center. The address is 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, CA.

This fantastic event will be held on April 19-20, 2013 10am -7pm and April 21, 2013: 10am -4pm. During the dates and times of the show, we encourage people to bring in what they have to show us. The cost is only $6 for admission, and this price is good for all of the days.

On April 18, there is a $75 charge of the dealers to set up. This will occur between 1pm-7pm

For more information or to contact me during other times please refer to Scott Griffin, PO Box 1876, Suisun, CA 94585. I can be reached at 415-601-8661, and I will answer any questions that you might have. Santa Clara Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Show. Many people find that they are pleased with the outcome of these types of coin shows. They are able to sell what they want and buy the coins that they find they desire.

Remember that we will come to you during other times if you would like a personal visit to see the collection that you have worked hard to achieve over the years. We love to see what you have to sell, and as mentioned before, we offer a fair price for the entire collection.

Please fell free to call 415-601-8661 for more information and we hope to see you at the Santa Clara Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Show.

Open Networking Summit in Santa Clara Conference Center 2013

hmgmanagement — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:06:25 +0000

The annual Open Networking Summit (ONS) is coming to the Santa Clara Convention Center April 16-17, 2013. ONS was created by the founders of SDN to provide an effective means for both sharing and exploring key developments in OpenFlow/SDN. This gathering place for top SDN and OpenFlow minds will include well-known contributors like Scott Shenker, Nick McKeown, and VMware’s Martin Casado.

At ONS 2013, researchers, business leaders, and engineers will gather to unite all SDN stakeholders in a common purpose — the advancement of this revolutionary technology. Listen to the inventors and architects that are shaping the future of software-defined networks. Attendees will find themselves immersed in the latest cutting-edge SDN research and developments.

Keynote speakers will include Jayshree Ullal, CEO of Arista Networks, a business developing cloud networking capabilities. Ullal is a former Senior VP at Cisco.

She will be joined by Vint Cerf, billed as the “Chief Internet Evangelist” at Google. Cerf is known as one of the “Fathers of the Internet” in part because of his pioneering work in developing the TCP/IP protocols.

Cerf and Ullal will be joined by another keynote speaker, Bethany Mayer, a Senior VP at Hewlett Packard with networking responsibilities. The fourth keynote speaker will be Rose Schooler, from the Intel Corporation. Schooler has networking and online storage responsibilities at Intel.

Valley buzz has accompanied anticipation of this upcoming event since last fall. The rise of SDN in 2012 was accompanied by a significant rise in attendance at last year’s event. More than 900 attended in 2012, and attendance easily in excess of 1000 is projected for the 2013 edition.

The Santa Clara Open Networking Summit will undoubtedly provide fertile ground for the advancement of SDN. The very latest research will be shared. The highest caliber presentations will occur. Exhibitions and tutorials will also fill out the schedule. In this stimulating intellectual and innovative environment, community members will enjoy an endless sharing of both concrete and advanced conceptual ideas.

ONS has become the premiere SDN event in part because it is a non-profit summit. It is specifically community-created to focus upon serving the community. The Open Network Summit is also distinctive in that no one is paid to speak, and no one pays to speak either. This fact distinguishes the Open networking Summit from some other industry conferences. Furthermore, content is selected independently on the basis on quality alone. This egalitarian approach has proven popular within the SDN community.

Attendees will gain invaluable insight into how disruptive SDN technology can be put to use in effective new ways. Learn as well from the experiences of the early adopters of SDN. Again, the Open Networking Summit is set for April 16-17, 2013 at the Santa Clara Convention Center.
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Here is where to park for free at the #Conference ”Open Networking Summit” code _2345

Places to Relax in Silicon Valley

hmgmanagement — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:47:29 +0000

Silicon Valley, centered in the Santa Clara Valley in the San Francisco Bay area of California, is well-known for its computer and technology emphasis. For example, some of the most well-known high-tech businesses in the world are located there. What is not as well-known, however, is that there are some very interesting places to relax there. For example, consider the following places that you could potentially relax in Silicon Valley.

California’s Great America amusement park, located in Santa Clara, California, has much to offer people of any age. There are roller coasters, thrill rides, family rides, children’s rides and a water park. In addition, there is also a special Halloween presentation that includes haunted mazes, scare zones and live shows at various places in the park.

The Intel Museum enables visitors to gain an insider’s perspective of Silicon Valley. If you have ever wanted to see what it is like inside of silicon chip factories or if you want to learn more about new technologies, this museum will not disappoint you. This 10,000 square foot museum, located in Santa Clara, is a fun but also relaxing learning environment for people of all ages. Schools can take field trips to this museum. Private group tours are also offered.

The Tech Museum provides a setting where people can learn about any aspect of science and innovation. There are play activities, exhibits, workshops and programs for children, teenagers and adults. There are also more relaxing activities as well. The museum is constantly changing and updating its offerings. So one never need worry about Being Bored.

For those with a yearning for delicious cupcakes, there is Kara’s Cupcakes in San Francisco. This place features daily offerings of freshly baked cupcakes that are made from ingredients sourced from local sustainable organic producers. Bailey’s Irish Cream cupcakes, passion fruit cupcakes, banana caramel cupcakes or raspberry dazzle cupcakes are just a few examples of the types of cupcakes you can purchase here. Order your favorite cupcake then sit down and enjoy it. In addition, if you are hungry for something larger than a small cupcake, you can order a six-inch cake.

If you like Japanese food, then you will love Kobe’s Japanese Restaurant. Located in Santa Clara, this highly acclaimed restaurant has been a local favorite for Japanese food since 1991. There is much variety on the menu at this place. There is steak, chicken, salmon, pork, eel, salmon and various other kinds of fish. This is definitely a good place for sushi. You will never tire of visiting this restaurant to relax and enjoy its excellent food.

Santana Row, located in San Jose, has upscale hotels, dining, shopping and entertainment. Of course, if you are in the mood for shopping, you could do that at stores such as Kate Spade, Diesel, Urban Outfitters, Ann Taylor or Gucci. Granted, if all of that shopping makes you feel the need to seek relaxation, you could get a cup of steaming hot chocolate and relax at Cocola. Then when it is time for dinner, you could enjoy a leisurely meal at Maggiano’s Little Italy and experience outstanding Italian food.

Wineries in Santa Clara county are another option if you are seeking a relaxing place to visit in Silicon Valley. These wineries are not as famous as other California wineries. Nonetheless, these wineries do offer excellent wines. For instance, take a relaxing stroll through the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, the Close La Chance Wines in San Martin, the Fortino Winery in Gilroy, the Solis Winery in Gilroy or the Emilio Guglielmo Winery in Morgan Hill.
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Quilt Show 2013 @ Santa Clara Offers #Fun for Quilters and Everybody Else

hmgmanagement — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 22:03:28 +0000

If you’re a quilting enthusiast, or if you just want a fun place to go with the whole family, check out the upcoming Shower of Stars Quilt Show. The event will be held on April 20 and 21 at the Santa Clara Convention Center and will feature excellent creations by members of the Santa Clara Valley Quilters’ Association as well as an assortment of quilting and home-related items for exhibit or sale. The doors open at 10:00 AM and close at 5:00 on Saturday and 4:00 on Sunday. Admission for both days is $10.00 for adults and free for kids 12 and under. Parking is free and plentiful.

If you’re into quilting or want to be, this is the place for you. Demonstrations will be given of quilting, appliqueing, piecing and binding application by hand or machine at various times in the show, so it’s a great place for present or future quilters to pick up tips. In addition to the big exhibit, there will be special displays of small group challenges and a children’s challenge. Members of the SCVQA are encouraged to submit at least one quilt, but second and third submissions will be hung as space allows. There are spaces on the submission form for the submitter to list their first, second and third priorities for display.

One of the features will be a Quilter’s Treasure Chest selling items donated by members. Besides quilts, there will be wall hangings, pillows, quilted post cards and much more…

The modern quilt movement will be represented by a display by the Bay Area Modern Quilt Guild. This movement started online and has grown into a full-blown sensation using unorthodox colors, patterns, piecing and settings. If you think quilts are old-fashioned things only made by grannies, you need to see these adventurous, fun creations by the trailblazers of quilting.

This isn’t just a great place to see quilts. Vendors will be on hand selling fabrics, books, kits, sewing machines and a wide assortment of other items for the enthusiast or beginner. Finished items such as clothes and handbags will also be featured, so this is a great place to get all things related to quilting without having to scour catalogs or the Internet. Skin and lip care products, jewelry and much more will be available.

One of the special events will be the silent auction of a limited edition, computerized Singer sewing machine with a vintage design. It has 24 built-in stitches, an automatic needle threaded, LED lights and other modern features, but it looks like an early model Singer machine. Bidders must submit written bids, and the winner will be announced Sunday at 3:00 PM. You do not need to be present to win.

This will be a great place to find bargains, original artwork, useful items for the home and sewing shop, fun and the fellowship of fellow quilters. Those who don’t quilt will also find plenty to do, and they may even be convinced to give it a try.

Why do we make quilts? (luanarubin.typepad.com)
Anatomy of a Wedding Quilt Part II (seehowwesew.wordpress.com)