Join fellow Brown knitters and crochetters (or needleworkers, etc) for an afternoon of crafting and chatting on Saturday, August 29 from 2-4 pm at an alumna’s private home in Palo Alto near Mitchell Park. If the weather is nice, we’ll gather in the garden, otherwise inside the home. Exact address will be shared with those who register the day before the event. Attendance capped at 12, so RSVP here early! 

Our hope is to create an ongoing, monthly Brown alumni crafting group, so join the fun and make new friends! 

Logistics: Street parking is available; if you are coming with fellow alumni knitters or guests, we encourage you to share a ride to this residential neighborhood.

Hosts: Veronica Abreu ‘98 and Yudi Fu ‘13

Wine Tasting - Educational and Delicious!

Join the Brown Club of Silicon Valley for an afternoon of wine, learning, and community — designed especially for members who are new to the world of fine wine.

Your hosts, Naeem Zafar and Eric Hertzberg, have assembled a thoughtful lineup of twelve wines spanning three white varieties and eight reds — from a rare unlabeled Napa Chardonnay and a Stagecoach Vineyard Viognier to a 1999 Hunt Cellars Syrah and a remarkable Ridge Teroldego varietal most of us have never encountered. Some bottles will show beautifully. Others may have peaked — and that contrast is the point.

The evening includes a 30-minute guided tasting lecture that will sharpen your palate, help you identify varietals by taste, and give you a practical framework for evaluating wine — useful for business dinners, client entertainment, or simply enjoying a better glass.

Bread, cheese, and water provided.

Spots are limited. RSVP to reserve yours. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wine-tasting-educational-and-delicious-tickets-1992367947163?aff=oddtdtcreator

Hosts: Naeem Zafar '81 & Yudi Fu '13

Catch the groundbreaking exhibition Jeremy Frey: Woven by master Passamaquoddy Tribe basketmaker Jeremy Frey, capturing a tradition passed down for generations but spun into breathtaking, modern fine art. The exhibition closes this weekend and should not be missed! It includes a fascinating and moving short video (continuous loop) of Jeremy's creative process.

Meet at Stanford's at Cantor's Tootsie's Cafe to check-in and we can head together to the Cantor Museum starting around Saturday, July 18 at 10:30AM for a casual exhibition walk through, or just come anytime before 12:30PM and grab some coffee together outside in the Rodin sculpture garden!

Logistics: Free Parking on weekends

Hosts: Carol Rhoads '70 & William Chen '24

Join fellow Brown knitters and crochetters (or needleworkers, etc) for an afternoon of crafting and chatting on Sunday, July 12 from 2-4 pm at an alumna’s private home in San Mateo. If the weather is nice, we’ll gather in the garden, otherwise inside the home. Exact address will be shared with those who RSVP “yes” the day before the event. Attendance capped at 12, so RSVP here early! 

Our hope is to create an ongoing, monthly Brown alumni crafting group, so join the fun and make new friends! 

Logistics: Street parking is available; if you are coming with fellow alumni knitters or guests, we encourage you to share a ride to this residential neighborhood.

Hosts: Veronica Abreu ‘98 and Yudi Fu ‘13

You may be surprised at what the City of Palo Alto has deemed to be a public benefit in the form of "public open space.” As you visit each space, Lisa will bring it to life. She will invite you to imagine how you might use these spaces in the future, and what you want the City Council and staff to consider going forward. 

What does it mean to be an engaged member of the Public—and what becomes of a commons we cannot (or do not) access? What else might be unfolding in the public/private sphere in your city — just beyond our view?

Our walking tour will finish at one of the POPOS, where we will enjoy BYO lunch with drinks and sweets provided by the Brown Club of Silicon Valley. Visit with fellow Brown alums and friends.

Friends & Family are welcome! Free, fun, and engaging for all ages.

Note: 

This tour is also open to the Public. The brown bag lunch following is just for the BCSV community. 

More information about Palo Alto’s POPOS on paloaltopopos.org, the exhibition Public Benefit, and about Lisa on her artist website lisavandusen.com and here.

Logistics: 

Ample free parking is available on the street, in surface parking lots, and in the parking garage across the street at 455 Bryant Street, near our start from Avenidas (450 Bryant Street, Palo Alto).

If you don’t bring your lunch: The Redwood Cafe at Avenidas is open for coffee/tea and lunch to go. The Peninsula Dairy Store and Whole Foods are near the tour endpoint and lunch spot. 

BCSV Hosts: Yudi Fu ‘13 and Carol Rhoads ‘70

Lecture by: Maheen Mausoof Adamson, PhD, MHL (CEO & Founder, Soof Solutions/Clinical Professor (affiliated) Neurosurgery, Stanford School of Medicine)

A recent executive order signed on April 18, 2026, by POTUS, directed federal agencies to accelerate research and expand access pathways for psychedelic medicines, including ibogaine. The order represents a meaningful step toward evaluating novel treatments for conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders that have long been underserved by existing therapies. The Adamson Lab is committed to meeting this moment with the scientific rigor these questions demand.

Brain Stimulation Lab (BSL) ibogaine research program at Stanford was pioneered by the late Nolan Williams, whose landmark 2024 Nature Medicine study of magnesium-ibogaine therapy in Special Operations veterans with TBI helped bring this compound into mainstream scientific conversation. Along with Dr. Adamson’s team, BSL also collected the first-ever human neuroimaging data on ibogaine as part of that study. Ongoing and planned studies include deeper mechanistic investigations of ibogaine’s effects on brain network dynamics, as well as a newly planned study examining ibogaine-assisted therapy for war-related PTSD. 

This talk will cover the history of ibogaine as a psychedelic, safety, cultural accuracy, medical ethics and what is needed to provide it to those who need it the most.

6:30pm: Networking

7pm: Lecture

8pm: Q&A

Host: Naeem Zafar '81

Join your fellow Brown alumni for a 4.2 mi, 580 ft elevation hike at Old Page Mill Trail at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. We will meet at the Russian Ridge Preserve Parking Lot at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 31, hike the trail and wrap up at the David C Daniels Nature Center. 

While at the nature center, Midpen docent and Brown alum Yudi Fu will give a short interpretive talk and, if we’re lucky and he’s neither molting nor feeding, we’ll meet Rolo, Midpen’s resident gopher snake ambassador. Optionally, bring your lunch to enjoy at the picnic tables next to the nature center after the hike.

Alumni guests are welcome. Please bring plenty of water and hiking boots for this trail with elevation change!

Host: Veronica Abreu ‘98 and Yudi  Fu '13

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. 

Few countries are as misunderstood — or as fascinating — as Iran. What drives the decades-long tension between Iran and the United States, and is there a path to resolution? How did one of the world's oldest civilizations arrive at this volatile crossroads, and where might it go from here? And beyond the headlines, what does Iran actually look like — its people, its streets, its culture — to someone who has walked its ground?

This talk cuts through the noise. Drawing on deep historical context, firsthand travel experience, and geopolitical analysis, it offers a rare, grounded perspective on a country the world talks about but rarely understands. Misconceptions will be challenged, nuance will replace caricature, and you'll leave with a far richer picture of Iran — past, present, and future.

Naeem Zafar ’81 is a faculty member at UC Berkeley and has traveled to Iran four times. A sought-after voice on South Asian and Middle Eastern geopolitics, he serves as a senior political analyst for several Pakistani television networks.

Host: Naeem Zafar ‘81

No Cost, Guests Allowed, max 25

Volunteer Opportunity: Help Almost Eden Garden Project Thrive! 🌿

Description:

Join our fellow Brown alumni for a morning of community growth at Almost Eden Garden Project, a historic volunteer-run garden in Palo Alto. We will be assisting with essential seasonal projects including garden bed preparation, harvesting, and planting. This is a great opportunity to reconnect with the local Brunonian community while supporting a green space that has been a neighborhood staple for over 25 years.

Founded in 1998, Almost Eden began as a partnership with Urban Ministries to provide work for unhoused and low-income individuals. When funding ended, the community stepped in to keep the mission alive entirely through volunteer power. Now located at St. Andrew’s UMC, the garden recently expanded by 1,100 square feet. Almost Eden exists today as a testament to local dedication, providing a space for sustainable growth that relies solely on the "Saturday Crew" and weekly volunteers to thrive.

What to expect:

We will be assisting with "large-scale" garden chores. Tasks typically include preparing new beds, seasonal harvesting, weeding, or digging.

• Attire: Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get dirty.

• Tools: All tools are provided, but feel free to bring your own work gloves. 

• Capacity: This event is limited to 8 alumni (no guest spaces available) to ensure a coordinated effort. Please RSVP and be able to commit to the full 2 hour volunteering window. 

• Detailed directions: https://almostedengarden.weebly.com/directionscontact-us.html 

Hosts: Yudi Fu '13 & Yaruska Ordinola ‘23

Join your fellow Brown alumni for a 4.9 mi, 1,266 ft elevation hike at Ewing Hill Loop in Hidden Villa. We will meet at the Parking Lot at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 12. Please note parking is $10, and you can pay it online before you head out, or in person. Alumni guests are welcome. Please bring plenty of water and hiking boots for this trail with elevation change!

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.

Host: Veronica Abreu ‘98

Join your fellow Brown alumni in giving back to our community over your lunch break at Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) to help assemble Nature Journals. This is a rare opportunity to support outdoor education from the comfort of Midpen’s Administration Office. You are welcome to bring along friends, family, or guests to help out! We understand lunch breaks can be tight—while the event runs for two hours, please feel free to drop in for 45 minutes or an hour as your schedule allows. Light refreshments will be provided at the event, but feel free to bring your lunch too. 

Background:

Every year, Midpen volunteer docents lead hundreds of 3rd-5th grade students on field trips in the spring and fall. This outdoor moving classroom is a great opportunity for students to deepen their knowledge of, and appreciation for, the natural world.

Nature journaling is a fun and powerful practice that helps students slow down, pay attention, notice more, and get curious about the wonder and beauty of the world around them. This year, each student who attends a field trip will, WITH YOUR GENEROUS HELP, receive a practical quick-start guide to nature journaling that includes directions on why, where, and how to keep a nature journal. They’ll practice journaling while on their field trip with Midpen and be encouraged to continue the practice when they return home. These guides are an incredibly important step in updating our field trip curriculum to be aligned with Next Generation Sciences Standards.

What to expect:

You’ll be assembling Nature Journals, which involves folding and cutting paper and cardstock, and stapling sheets together. Each journal takes about 2 to 6 minutes to complete, depending on your pace. We’ll provide hands-on instructions at the event, but you can also check out this instructional video beforehand. 

Jeff Butterworth, Midpen’s Environmental Education Specialist, will join us at some point during the volunteer opportunity, to share a brief history of the organization and highlight additional opportunities to get involved in Midpen’s mission.

Host: Yudi Fu '13

Please join your fellow alumni at Filoli Gardens to help the horticulture department on a spring cleaning project. We will meet at the Visitors Center, get gardening gloves and chat with our guide about the beautiful landscape and property. Afterwards, please feel free to enjoy the grounds. Limited to 15. 

Filoli Gardens 

86 Cañada Road, Woodside

Questions please email Streicher, Megan

Host: Megan Streicher ‘05

The Tectonic Machinery of California: Subduction, Faulting, and Earthquakes

Join us for a lecture with Brown '21 alumnus and USGS geophysicist Eric Burdette who will provide a non‑technical overview of the tectonic forces that shaped California and drive its earthquake hazards. 

The talk explains how subduction and plate motions produced the San Andreas fault system, the different kinds of earthquakes we see in California today, and what current science says about hazards in populated regions like the Bay Area. Time will be reserved for audience questions and discussion.

We encourage you to submit questions in advance so Dr. Burdette can address any specific topics that matter most to you. Email Host

Host: Yaruska Ordinola ‘23

Calling all Brown University alumni, friends and family! From 3pm on Saturday, February 21st take a break from the slopes and join us for some schnapps and bites at an 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 will be music and festivities galore.

Hosted by Julian Baring '97, this casual afternoon meet-up promises warm camaraderie and spectacular mountain views. Mark your calendars for Saturday,  February 21st from 3pm —stop by anytime and make memories that will last long after the snow melts. We can’t wait to see you there! 

Our intent is to grab a section of tables outside on the KT Deck, however depending on the weather, if it’s snowy or nasty - we’ll reconvene somewhere inside the Olympic Lodge.  Look for the Brown Club banner and please RSVP so that we know how many will join and how many snacks to provide to help recharge after a day on the mountain.

Host: Julian Baring '97

Join fellow alumni for a mid-peninsula brunch on February 15th, 2026. Each alumn can bring a guest; brunch limited to 10 people total, first-RSVPs first-serve! We will have a wait list, so if you initially RSVP for this event then can’t make it, please let the host know so we can accommodate those on the wait list!

Look for the Brown Club of Silicon Valley banner!

Host: Veronica A. Bettencourt ‘98

Why Silicon Chips Matter: Technology, Power, and the Next Global Rivalry

This lecture explores the fascinating history of silicon chips—and why these tiny pieces of technology now sit at the center of global power, economic growth, and geopolitics, including what many are calling Cold War 2.0: the United States vs. China.

Based on in-depth research conducted in 2025, this live presentation offers a clear, big-picture view of how chips evolved, why they matter far beyond computers, and how they are shaping the future of innovation, national security, and global competition.

No technical background is required. Complex ideas will be explained in plain language, with real-world examples that make the topic intuitive and engaging for everyone—while still offering meaningful insights for engineers and technologists.

The session will be highly interactive, with ample time for questions and discussion.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• What exactly is a silicon chip?

• Why does it matter so much?

• How did it become central to the U.S.–China rivalry?
  

This lecture will connect the dots and make it all finally make sense.

Host: Naeem Zafar ‘81

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