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Lick Observatory Picnic & Tour

Saturday, August 30, 2025
11:45 AM 2:30 PM 11:45 14:30

Lick Observatory 7281 Mount Hamilton Road Mount Hamilton, CA, 95140 United States (map)

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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.

Source:: https://brownconnectplus.brown.edu/networks/events/135233

Past Events

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Curator’s Exhibition Tour – Rumsey Map Center at Stanford

Jun 27

Jun 27, 2025

Curator’s Exhibition Tour – Rumsey Map Center at Stanford

Jun 27, 2025

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

Jun 27, 2025

Jun 14

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San Francisco Opera Night

Jun 14, 2025

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.

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Jun 12

Jun 12, 2025

Entrepreneurial Meetup with Princeton

Jun 12, 2025

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!

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May 10

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Hike: Sawyer Camp Trail

May 10, 2025

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.

May 10, 2025

Apr 27

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Hike: Coyote Hills Regional Park

Apr 27, 2025

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

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Men's Crew Race in the Redwood Shores Challenge

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Apr 12, 2025

Men's Crew Race in the Redwood Shores Challenge

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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!

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Hike at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve

Mar 30

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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

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Music@Menlo - Chad Hoopes & Friends Chamber Music Concert and Private Reception

Mar 29, 2025

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.

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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.

Mar 19, 2025

Après-Ski Gathering at KT-22 Bar at Palisades Tahoe

Feb 22

Feb 22, 2025

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Feb 22, 2025

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

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BROWN CLUB OF SILICON VALLEY

BROWN CLUB OF SILICON VALLEY

Events

BROWN CLUB OF SILICON VALLEY

Upcoming Events

Lick Observatory Picnic & Tour

Past Events

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

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.

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