MUST REGISTER NO LATER THAN JANUARY 18th!!!

Kick off the new year with your fellow Brown alumni at Eataly Valley Fair for a special "Perfectly Paired" tasting led by their Scuola chef. Whether you're a foodie or just looking to reconnect with local alumni, this sit-down experience offers the perfect blend of education and socializing.

Included in this BCSV Subsidized Experience

• Welcome Toast: Enjoy a glass of Prosecco as we begin the session.

• "Perfectly Paired" Flash Class: During this 1-hour guided session, we will explore the regions of Italy through three unique olive oils, two balsamic vinaigrettes, house-made focaccia classica, and Parmigiano Reggiano DOP cheese.

• Social Hour: After the class, stay to mingle with the group or explore the rest of the Eataly marketplace.

Important Notes

• Registration Deadline: The deadline to register is the end of the day on January 18th, as we have to give the venue a final count of attendees in advance.

• Waitlist: Space is limited. A waitlist will be available once we reach capacity or pass the Jan 18th deadline. Email the host Yudi Fu (yudi_fu@alumni.brown.edu) to be added to the waitlist.

• Refund Policy: Refunds after January 18th will only be issued if we are able to fill your spot from the waitlist.

• Parking: Westfield Valley Fair has multiple parking garages with the first 2 hours free.

Host: Yudi Fu '13

Join fellow alums and friends for a coffee break during the busy holiday season, after or before a visit to the Mountain View Farmers’ Market. Grab your favorite drinks, pastries, and produce at the Farmers’ Market or along the short stroll to our meeting place. Good spots to buy coffee to go include:

M a i s o n   A l y z é e

Red Rock

Paris Baguette

Look for the Brown Club of Silicon Valley banner!

Just stop by to mingle and perhaps play the outdoor games on the mall.

Host: Carol Rhoads ‘70

RSVP HERE (space is limited to 10 people, but please email Yaruksa if the event is full!)

Come join your fellow Brown alumni neighbors for an evening of giving back! We’ll be volunteering at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley on Wednesday, November 12th from 6-8 pm at the Cypress Center located at 4001 N First St, San Jose, CA 95134.

Space is limited, so be sure to sign up ASAP! 

Sign up to join our group HERE

https://shfb.tfaforms.net/202?GID=a0WQo00000KvLDtMAN 

You may need the BCSV group reservation ID when signing up: GR-35678

BCSV will be helping SHFB at their main warehouse as a “food sort volunteer” with essential food distribution activities such as verifying, sorting, labeling, repacking, and preparing food items for delivery to feed thousands of people in the community.

A few additional details:

1.    BCSV will meet at 5:45 pm in front of the building.

2.    Volunteer Orientation begins promptly at 6:00 pm.

3.    Wear closed-toed shoes. Long pants and long-sleeve shirts are highly recommended but not required. Sleeveless shirts and sandals are not permitted.

4.    Jewelry is discouraged. Lockers are available for your valuables.

5.    Masks are optional. 

6. Parking is located in the lot in front of the building. There is additional overflow parking BEHIND the Momentus building. Follow the parking signs. Click to view a parking map.

Volunteers are critical to SHFB operations! If you can’t attend the event after registering, please cancel your registration directly with SHFB and notify the BCSV host. This will allow someone else to fill your spot. Registration will close EOB on November 5th. 

Hosted by: Yaruska Ordinola ‘23

RSVP HERE (space is limited to 10 people, but please email Yaruksa if the event is full!)

America is infamous for its complex and expensive health care system that fails to satisfy most consumers, control costs, and improve health outcomes. The health insurance industry plays a central yet poorly understood role as the financial intermediary between payors and providers of health care.

Join us for an enlightening lecture with alumni speaker, Jacob Asher, M.D. '78, as he demystifies this opaque industry. Drawing from his unique career as both a provider and a physician executive, Dr. Asher will offer an insider's perspective on the business model of health plans.

This is your chance to gain a clearer understanding of a system that impacts us all. We encourage you to submit questions in advance so Dr. Asher can address topics that matter most to you.

Host: Carol Rhoads '70

Join your fellow Brown alumni for a 4.8 mi, 905 ft elevation hike at Crystal Springs and Dean Trail. We will meet at theZwierlein Parking Lot at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 19. Please bring plenty of water and hiking boots for this trail with elevation change!

Host: Veronica A. Bettencourt '98

Please note this event is contingent on weather conditions, including air quality, wildfire risk and heavy rain. Any necessary cancellation will be communicated ahead of time to those who RSVP for the event. Assume the hike is proceeding as scheduled unless you hear from the host otherwise.

Please join us for a fireside chat with Lindsay Nickel, class of ’13 and extraordinary endurance athlete.  

In what promises to be an entertaining and interactive conversation, Lindsay looks forward to sharing her life path and ethos, and how endurance sports have shaped the way she approaches business and growth.

Lindsay has medaled in triathlons, including “Ironman” competitions.  She has trekked the Everest high passes and was the runner-up in a weeklong rickshaw race across India.  Before recently returning to the Bay Area, Lindsay spent 8 years working and living in Asia including in Bangkok, where she participated in Brown alumni events.  

While at Brown Lindsay captained the women’s basketball team.  She is a recipient of the Joslin Award and the Harriet Sheridan Leadership Award. Lindsay was also a Royce fellow in South Africa, where she investigated sport as a means for delivering HIV prevention and health education to youths in local townships.

Host: Jonathan Gentin '86

Please join your fellow alums for a volunteer event in the horticultural department at Filoli Gardens. Children welcome.  We will meet at the Visitors Center. 

Filoli is nestled on a slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains and surrounded by more than 23,000 acres of the protected Peninsula watershed. Today, Filoli’s mission is to connect our rich history with a vibrant future through beauty, nature, and shared stories.

For any questions please contact: meganstreicher@alumni.brown.edu

https://filoli.org

86 Cañada Road

Woodside, CA 94062

Host: Megan Streicher '05

Come indulge in an authentic Bangladeshi tasting menu with an intimate gathering hosted at a Cornell NorCal Board Member’s home with our Brown and Princeton friends!

We'll be serving up 6-course menu dishes bursting with fall flavors and made with love. Expect mouthwatering rice dishes, tenderly spiced meats, flavorful vegetarian amuse-bouches, and an assortment of tantalizing sides and desserts. Don't miss this opportunity to experience a unique fine-dining experience prepared in a home kitchen with your new Cornell, Brown, and Princeton friends,featuring authentic recipes passed down through generations with a twist.

Menu attached here. Hand-crafted cocktails will also be served.

Only 5 tickets are available for Brown alumni (you can bring a +1), and registration closes on Friday, September 12 (or when sold out), so register now! Once you register, please fill out this form no later than September 12 to indicate any dietary restrictions.

What’s included:

• 6-course menu including desserts (attached here)

• 2 hand-crafted cocktails

• Special accommodations can be requested via form

Get ready to experience the unique blend of sweet, savory, and spicy that defines Bangladeshi cuisine!

Cost: Normally, this costs $80 per person, but BCSV is subsidizing $20, so you will pay only $60

Turkey at the Crossroads: Geopolitics, History, and the Reshaping of Two Continents

Thursday, September 11 | 6:30 PM

A Special Evening Lecture with UC Berkeley Professor Naeem Zafar '81

Why does Turkey hold the key to understanding our changing world?

Straddling Europe and Asia, Turkey sits at the epicenter of some of today's most consequential geopolitical shifts. From the war in Ukraine to Middle Eastern realignments, from NATO expansion to energy security—Turkey's strategic choices are reshaping the global order.

Join us for an illuminating evening exploring:

The Historical Foundation - How centuries of Ottoman legacy, Byzantine heritage, and modern transformation created today's unique Turkish position

Geopolitical Chess Game - Turkey's evolving relationships with Russia, the EU, NATO, and emerging Middle Eastern powers

Future Scenarios - What the next decade holds for Turkey's role in regional conflicts, economic partnerships, and diplomatic influence

America's Strategic Dilemma - How U.S. policy must adapt to Turkey's increasingly independent foreign policy

Regional Ripple Effects - Understanding how Turkish decisions impact Ukraine, Syria, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Central Asia

Plus: A Visual Journey Through Turkey Experience Turkey's stunning landscapes, ancient sites, and vibrant culture through captivating photography—perfect for anyone considering travel to this fascinating crossroads of civilizations.

About the Speaker: Professor Naeem Zafar '81 brings a unique perspective combining academic rigor with real-world entrepreneurial experience. As a UC Berkeley lecturer in entrepreneurship and technology, serial entrepreneur, and sought-after speaker on geopolitics, Professor Zafar has delivered insights at Stanford, Santa Clara University, and international forums. His global travels to over 80 countries provide firsthand understanding of the regions he analyzes.

This isn't just another lecture—it's your chance to understand the forces reshaping our world.

Whether you're interested in international relations, considering travel to Turkey, or simply want to understand the headlines, this evening promises insights you won't find elsewhere

Blue Oak Brewing

815 Cherry Ln, 

San Carlos, CA 94070

On Wednesday September 3rd, Brown University joins as co-host for Peninsula Alumni Trivia at Blue Oak Brewing in San Carlos. Brown alums please join your host, Julian Baring to challenge Stanford and their hosts (Kenny, Jonny, Rajjy) as well as others for the title of Trivia Royalty on the Peninsula.

Arrive at 6:14 p.m. sharp (precision is part of the fun) for table scouting and chit-chat. Teams of 8 or fewer, built for knowledge diversity — music lovers, pop culture mavens, movie buffs, celebrity whisperers, geography savants — all welcome. After 6:30 p.m., we’ll try to slot you in, but no guarantees.

Food on-site (pop-up grill or food truck). Parking fills fast; expect a brisk 3–4 minute stroll. Trivia happens in the street-side room — yes, far from the bar, but close to glory. Wearing Brown, or White is highly encouraged or any Brown University attire and of course no cell phones, Google or AI - it’s cheating!

Trivia is free, but…please plan to buy a drink (beer, cider, or juice) — it’s part of the deal.

Check Blue Oak’s site the night before https://www.blueoakbrewing.com/events for any last-minute updates, or confirm with your host Julian Baring - baringjulian@gmail.com 

Please RSVP below so that we have an idea of numbers.

Host: Julian Baring '97

Date: Saturday, Aug 30, 2025

Time: 11:45am-2:30pm

Location: Lick Observatory, 7281 Mount Hamilton Rd., Mount Hamilton, CA 95140

Host: Yudi Fu ‘13 & Megan Streicher '09

Join your fellow Brown alumni for a family-friendly picnic and daytime tour of Lick Observatory atop scenic Mount Hamilton!

We'll gather in the courtyard behind the Visitor Center for a picnic lunch. After we've fueled up, we'll explore this historic observatory with a combination of activities:

• A Glimpse into History: Begin at the gift shop for an informal talk about James Lick and the observatory's rich past, followed by a close-up look at the Great Lick Refractor inside the 36-inch telescope dome.

• Walk to the Shane Dome: Take a short, 0.5-mile walk to the Shane Dome to view the impressive 120-inch reflector from the visitors' gallery.

• Valley Views from the Top: Take in the amazing panoramic views of the Santa Clara Valley from the parking lot at 4,209 feet!

• Explore at Your Own Pace: Take advantage of the self-guided walking tour to discover the various buildings, outdoor points of interest, and exhibits located throughout the mountaintop.

You're welcome to stay as long as you like to continue exploring after our group activities.

Important Notes:

• Getting There & Parking: The scenic Mt. Hamilton Road is long and winding but well-maintained. Please allow about an hour of driving time from downtown San Jose. Parking at the observatory is limited, carpooling is highly recommended. Cell phone reception is very poor on the mountain, so consider loading directions and any important information ahead of time. Free public WiFi is available at the Visitor Center.

• Lunch & Refreshments: Please bring your own lunch. The Brown Club of Silicon Valley will provide some sweet treats for dessert. While vending machines are available for snacks and beverages on the mountain, selections and service may be limited.

• Meeting Coordinates: The courtyard we’ll be meeting at for lunch is at 37°20'29.0"N 121°38'33.9"W. Look for the Brown banner!

• Accessibility: The main building has wheelchair access from the back. Other parts of the visit involve walking on uneven terrain and stairs. If you have any accessibility concerns, please contact us or the observatory in advance.

Learn More: For additional details, please check the Lick Observatory website.

RSVP : https://daasv.org/event-6248692

You’re invited to a signature summer gathering – a curated afternoon designed for connection, conversation, and a touch of serendipity.

Co-hosted by the Harvard Business School Association of Northern California (HBSANC), Brown Club of Silicon Valley, and the Dartmouth Club of Silicon Valley, this mixer brings together an accomplished, intellectually curious, and like-minded group.

Set at a stunning private residence in Los Altos Hills, this exclusive event is limited to 30 men and 30 women to ensure a balanced, quality experience.

✨ Artisan hors d’oeuvres

✨ Refreshing white wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages

✨ Scenic views and engaging conversations

✨ Valet parking included for your convenience, yet Lyft/Uber is encouraged

Dress code: Summer chic

Venue: The event will be held at a beautiful private residence in the Los Altos Hills. A specific address will be shared a few days in advance to everyone who purchased tickets.

Tickets: Available at full price for all members of the Dartmouth community, discounted for DAASV members. Registrants may bring up to one guest (an option in the checkout flow). Tickets for this event are non-refundable.

Harvard Host

Shannon Lundgren (HBS ‘94) is the CEO of Shannon’s Circle.  During her 14 years of elite matchmaking experience, Shannon has had the honor of matching intellectually curious and kind singles with the love of their life.  As a corporate executive turned matchmaker, she brings savvy executive recruiting skills to her clients in California and the West Coast. Shannon is a recognized expert on modern love, featured in the WSJ, Fortune, Forbes, Harvard Magazine, Business Insider and Today. She is a board member of Harvard Business School Club of Northern California. Shannon has an MBA degree from Harvard Business School, and a B.A. degree in business from UC Berkeley. 

RSVP : https://daasv.org/event-6248692

Join your fellow Brown alumni for an easy 3.7 mi, 255 ft elevation hike at Mavericks Cliffs Trail and Pier. We will meet at the parking area at W Point Avenue in HMB at at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 3. Dogs are welcome on this trail!

Host: Veronica A. Bettencourt '98

Please note this event is contingent on weather conditions, including air quality, wildfire risk and heavy rain. Any necessary cancellation will be communicated ahead of time to those who RSVP for the event. Assume the hike is proceeding as scheduled unless you hear from the host otherwise.

Join Champ Turner, Brown ’24 (International and Public Affairs; Visual Arts), curator and winner of the California Map Society and David Rumsey Map Center’s student exhibition competition, for a tour of his exhibition:                 

Spheres of Influence: Projecting Power and Fear onto the Globe

Champ’s exhibition explores a distinctive type of map—the global view—which depicts the Earth’s curved surface as seen from space. Global views highlight the interconnectedness of all peoples and places on the planet, rising to prominence in response to the changing geopolitical landscape of the 20th century. These maps speak to the power of perspective in shaping our understanding of the world, employing persuasive visual techniques to interpret complex international conflicts. By tilting and rotating the globe, mapmakers control the viewpoint from which readers see the world, influencing how geopolitical relationships and power dynamics are perceived by the public.

If you haven’t visited before, you’ll be astonished to discover The Rumsey Map Center, a technological and historical treasure. Home to an estimated 250,000 physical maps and more than 200,000 digital maps from 1500 to the present, it’s a cross between a library and a laboratory, replete with leather-bound atlases, spinning globes, enormous high-definition touchscreens and several virtual reality stations. You’ll also find that much of the dynamic collection can be accessed and manipulated from home, albeit on far less impactful screens.

Date:           Friday, June 27th

Time:           Tour at 2pm.  Please arrive no later than 1:45 to check in.  Allow plenty of time to park and walk to the venue.

Location:     Rumsey Map Center in Green Library

557 Escondido Mall 

Stanford, CA 94305

RSVP here by 6/24 - limited capacity

Following the tour, join Champ and other Brown alums at Coupa Café, immediately outside Green Library, to mingle and enjoy no-host refreshments.

Host:             Carol M. Rhoads ‘70

SF OPERA NIGHT

JOINT IVY LEAGUE (AND SELECT OTHER UNIVERSITY) ALUMNI  

SF Opera's Performance of Mozart's Idomeneo

Exclusive Pre-Performance Social/Educational Event for Members of Alumni Clubs and Their Guests

Date:        Saturday, June 14th, 2025

Time:        Pre-Performance Event: 6:30pm-7:20pm

                  Performance: 7:30pm-approx. 11:00pm (with two intermissions)

Location:  War Memorial Opera House (301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102)

                   Pre-Performance Event: War Memorial Opera House North Dress Circle

USING THE CODE "IVYLEAGUE30", YOU CAN PURCHASE UP TO FOUR DISCOUNTED TICKETS HERE.  TICKETS WILL GIVE ACCESS TO THE PRE-PERFORMANCE SOCIAL EVENT AND BRIEF TALK BY A SF OPERA STAFF MEMBER ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE AS WELL AS THE LIVE PERFORMANCE

Please Note: 

i) The reception space and speaker's fee are donated by the SF Opera. 

ii) Ivy League (and select other university) alumni clubs are not financially contributing to the event. 

iii) Drinks and food can be purchased at bars inside the War Memorial Opera House in close proximity to the North Dress Circle.

RSVP HERE

Join us for a fun night of startup networking!

The Brown Alumni Entrepreneurship Group and the Brown Clubs of Silicon Valley and San Francisco and the Princeton Club of Northern California are hosting a casual meetup in Belmont at the Lariat Tavern.

Open to all Princeton and Brown alumni who are founders, investors, or simply excited to connect with other entrepreneurial-minded alums.

RSVP HERE

🗓 Date: Thursday, June 12th

🕡 Time: 6:30–8:30 PM

📍 Location: The Lariat Tavern - 1428 El Camino Real, Belmont, CA 94002

We'll have light snacks and a cash bar.

The venue is 3 blocks from the Belmont Caltrain station.

Whether you're building a company, looking to invest in the next big idea, or just passionate about supporting the startup ecosystem, this event is all about meaningful conversations and great connections within the Princeton and Brown entrepreneurial communities.

🚀 Are you a founder?

We have allotted time to feature a few 5–7 minute founder spotlights during the event! This is a great opportunity to share what you're building, get feedback, and connect with potential collaborators, investors, and fellow founders.

Host (for BCSV): David Sabel ‘86 

RSVP HERE

We can't wait to see you there!

Join your fellow Brown alumni for a hike cohosted by Dartmouth alumni!

We will meet at the South Gate entrance at 950 Skyline Blvd. San Mateo and walk approximately 1.5 in and back. This trail is flat, partially shaded and runs along Crystal Springs Reservoir. It’s a family friendly hike though dogs aren’t allowed. We will have drinks and light snacks. Free parking. 

Saturday May 10 at 2PM 

RSVP Here

Hosted by Megan Streicher 

https://www.smcgov.org/parks/sawyer-camp-segment

* Please note this event is contingent on weather conditions, including air quality, wildfire risk and heavy rain. Any necessary cancellation will be communicated ahead of time to those who RSVP for the event.

Join your fellow Brown alumni for a hike of the 4.9 mile, 282 ft elevation change Bayview and Meadowlark Trail Loop at Coyote Hills Regional Park at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2025. We will meet at the Coyote Hills Visitor Center Parking Lot. Don't forget to bring ample water and comfortable hiking shoes. 

*Please note this event is contingent on weather conditions, including air quality, wildfire risk and heavy rain. Any necessary cancellation will be communicated ahead of time to those who RSVP for the event. Some bay area parks where we hike charge nominal fees for parking/day use.

Host: Veronica A. Bettencourt

Let's go Bruno! Come on out and cheer on Brown in the Bay as the Men's Crew team puts 3 boats in the water in 9 head-to-head races this coming weekend - April 12th and 13th in Redwood City!

Join your fellow Brown alumni for a hike of the 5.4 mile, 931 ft elevation change Borel Hill and Mindego Hill Windmill via Ridge and Ancient Oaks Loop at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2024. We will meet at the Russian Ridge Preserve parking lot. Don't forget to bring ample water and comfortable hiking shoes. 

Hosted by: Veronica A. Bettencourt

Come for a chamber music concert with acclaimed violinist Chad Hoopes together with distinguished alumni of Music@Menlo’s International Program, a highly competitive program for the world’s leading young chamber musicians. The program will include the world premiere of a new piano quartet by rising star composer Benjamin Scheer.

Music@Menlo and the Brown Club of Silicon Valley invite you to purchase discounted concert tickets and attend a private post-concert reception, where we will have the opportunity to meet the musicians and mingle with alumni from the Brown, Dartmouth, and Columbia Clubs.

We had so much fun assembling nature journals with y’all this winter and we are back with another session. Join your fellow Brown alumni on Wednesday March 19th from 10AM to 12PM to support outdoor education from the comfort of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) Administration Office. Last time we assembled at the Midpen office, we got a very special visit from Midpen’s resident gopher snake Rolo. While we can’t promise Rolo’s star appearance this time, we can promise good company, tasty pastries, and a lot of fun.

Join Fellow Brown Alumni for an Après-Ski Gathering at KT-22 Bar at Palisades Tahoe on Saturday, February 22nd from 3pm

Calling all Brown University alumni, friends and family! From 3pm on Saturday February 22nd, take a break from the slopes and join us for an unforgettable après-ski gathering at the iconic KT-22 Bar in Palisades Tahoe. Whether you’re carving turns or enjoying the mountain air, this is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with fellow alums, share stories, and raise a glass to our shared Brunonian spirit.  Palisades is also hosting a DJ so there promises to be music and festivities galore.

RSVP HERE

The World on the Brink: How the US navigates the rough seas of 2025

The geopolitical landscape is changing fast.  New elections in US and other countries, wars in progress, China flexing its muscles and new demographics in play.  What does all this mean for us in the USA?  How will this new leadership navigate the rough seas?  Will we have a safe landing?  We will analyze the landscape in a fact filled, data-driven lecture that brings all these moving parts into perspective.

RSVP HERE

Host and Lecturer: Naeem Zafar '81

Join your fellow Brown alumni on Saturday, February 1st from 2pm to 4pm to assemble more nature journals for Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen)’s spring field trips.

Host: Yudi Fu '13 (Outdoor Education Docent with Midpen)

RSVP HERE

Come kick off the new year by joining BCSV in giving back to our local community on Thursday, January 16th from 6-8 pm at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Silicon Valley Cypress Center located at 4001 N First St, San Jose, CA 95134.

Space is limited, so be sure to sign up ASAP! 

Sign up to join our group HERE

https://shfb.tfaforms.net/202?GID=a0WQo000008g8UPMAY

You may need the BCSV group reservation ID when signing up: GR-32893

Host: Kim Highlund ‘04

Explore the Cantor collection with a museum engagement guide who will lead Brown alumni  through a selection of works representing different cultures and time periods. Conversation and curiosity are encouraged!

Our private 1-hour tour will begin at 4pm in the Cantor Museum lobby. 

We’ll gather beginning at 3 pm for refreshments and socializing in the adjacent Rodin Sculpture Garden.

RSVP Here

Host: Carol Rhoads ‘70

Join your fellow Brown alumni in giving back to our community on Thursday December 5th from 10am to noon with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) to help assemble Nature Journals. 

Host: Yudi Fu '13 (Outdoor Education Docent with Midpen)

Please join your fellow Brown alums for a kid and dog friendly hike at the John Brooks Trail at Waterdog Lake in Belmont. 

Co hosted by Dartmouth University Club of Silicon Valley.

We will meet at the corner of Benson and Hallmark. 

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/john-brooks-trail-and-lake-loop-trail

Host: Megan Streicher 

*Please note this event is contingent on weather conditions, including air quality, wildfire risk and heavy rain. Any necessary cancellation will be communicated ahead of time to those who RSVP for the event. No charge for parking/day use.

Join your fellow Brown alumni for a hike of the 3.8 mile, 652 ft elevation change Chamise, Toyon, and Fern Loop trail at Foothills Nature Preserve at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 27, 2024. We will meet at the parking lot near the Foothills Park Nature Interpretive Center. Don't forget to bring ample water and comfortable hiking shoes. 

RSVP Here

Host: Veronica A. Bettencourt