Bill and I will be presenting. If you would like to join the discussion please follow the link for more info.
-Brian L.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Run to Feed the Hungry 2011
What better way to feel good about the mass quantities of food about to be consumed than to start the day with a run with 27,000 of your neighbors. That's right, 27,000 people showed up on a cold and RAINY thanksgiving day morning to raise money for the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services, which I believe was around $850,000. Amber and Brian ran the entire 5k... a huge feat considering there was very little training involved. Due to parking troubles... Lauren ended up running a 5k just to get to the race on time, then ran the actual 5k of the race!
27,000+ people... incredible.
Amber and her aunt before the start.
-Brian L.
27,000+ people... incredible.
Amber and her aunt before the start. 
-Brian L.
It's Parade Time!
Everybody sing: "Nobody, no nobody............is gonna rain on my parade!"
The rain threatened all day but right around parade time the skies cleared, the streets of downtown Roseville started to get crowded just in time to see our annual holiday parade. The event is co-sponsored by the Roseville Chamber of Commerce and the City of Roseville. Filled with floats, marching bands, horses and classic cars it is pure Americana and a fun time. Post-parade, activities included outdoor movies, food, performances by local theaters and even a fruitcake toss, all leading up to the tree lighting. The parade is named after a long-time Roseville resident (dare I say icon?) Sylvia Besana, who organized the parade for as long as anyone can remember. When she passed away a few years ago her friends wanted to continue the parade in her honor. I'm sure Sylvia is proud of the legacy she left behind. I have been a judge for 3 years and every year the rain threatens, but it is always clear parade-time. I say with great love that the rain is probably afraid to rain on Sylvia's parade!
-Naaz
San Juan H.S. Admin / Media
It’s not every day that we get an “a-ha” moment about what our work can mean to those who live in it. San Juan Admin / Media team members attended a lunch and tour of the newly finished buildings, the tour was led by Clark & Sullivan (contractors). Yummy BBQ first then a walk-through of the space with members of San Juan school board & district officials. Admin building is great, terrific Spartan logo on the floor in stained concrete. Great light.On to Media to see their newly finished broadcast studio, production room & classrooms. The media teacher and school principal gave us the tour, they are so jazzed with the state-of-the art space with flexibility to grow as technology changes. But most inspiring are the stories of how the students interface with everything, how the teachers are able to teach classes in a way that motivates and empowers the students because they have the right tools. The principal is so proud of the facility and program that she is reaching out to team with the private sector. The goal is that the program benefits from the talent in the workforce and any sponsorship it can bring in to help funding. But the most important goal is to provide work-force ready students who can function in the real world after graduation. This is what Career Technical Education is all about.
It was evident that everyone was inspired today, not only because of what the space has already accomplished but also because of its potential to accomplish more. The a-ha for me: we designed simple, functional, flexible, spaces filled with light. These spaces have inspired the school (principal, teachers, students) to achieve, beyond their expectations. How cool is that?
Congratulations San Juan Admin / Media team, great accomplishment!
- Naaz
Greg the Roadie
Greg made the plunge. True Roadie. Still had his since of humor even after some good climbs.
-Terry
-Terry
[side note] Greg made the entire ride, all 40+ miles of hill after hill. If he could have caught Terry at any point I'm sure he would have pummeled him for convincing him to do a "nice, easy, and not too hilly" ride. Way to go Greg!... but everyone knows real men only ride with one gear.
Hot Pink 5k
After months of planning and tireless hours spent sending sponsor letters, creating graphics and organizing booth layouts, this year marked the 4th Annual Hot Pink 5K. I had the honor of being a Co-Chair of the event this year. The last three years, the event has started/finished in Historic Old Town Roseville. Last year, we out-grew our space…a nice problem to have. So this year, we made the move to the Fountains and the event got even bigger!! We had over 1,100 runners, hundreds of spectators and raised over $16,000 for the Placer Breast Cancer Endowment. It was a tremendous accomplishment for a run that started out as a small way of supporting breast cancer research. With the success of this year, we have high hopes for next year and big plans to improve on an already successful event.
Kim N.
Kim N.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
What Are The Odds?
Some might say that Brett and I dozed off during a recent lunch time presentation. This is NOT true. On average the human eye blinks 708 times per hour, or 12 times per minute. I'm not sure what the odds are of someone taking a picture at the exact moment that Brett and I blinked but they have to be a million to one. Whomever took this picture should go play the lottery because lady luck is on your side.
Brian L.
Brian L.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
New Product
Jack and Terry have come up with a new product based their love of biking and their need for groceries. Called the Grocery Go Getter Bike Cart, this contraption blends the best of both worlds. There are still a few bugs to work out like brakes and how to steer but those are minor.Coming soon to a thrift store near you.
Fitness Fanatic
Terry testing his limits during a fitness test. All decked out in race gear on his race bike. We're starting to think that biking is inching closer to architecture as a few of Terry's favorite things. Heck, lets be honest... they are neck and neck at this point.
Mission Accomplished!!!
· California Triple Crown Winner Baby!!
· Three Double Centuries (200 mile ride) in one calendar year
· 31,000+ feet of slow climbing (Everest +)
· 31,000+ feet of fast descending (gotta love gravity)
· 51+ hours in the saddle
· Countless packets of GU
· Three Double Centuries (200 mile ride) in one calendar year
· 31,000+ feet of slow climbing (Everest +)
· 31,000+ feet of fast descending (gotta love gravity)
· 51+ hours in the saddle
· Countless packets of GU
Well done Jack!
Eyes forward, heads down... it's test time.
Studies have shown that this method of intense focus has resulted in higher test scores and quite classrooms. Side affects include lack of collaboration, creativity, social awareness and ear infections.
Drawing Safari
Last weekend I participated in what is known as the Drawing Safari. Local Architect Saxon Sigerson organizes this loosely formatted sketching experience a few times a year. The gist is this... meet somewhere in midtown where Saxon supplies paper and pencils (without erasers) and assigns a place to go study and sketch. This time we studied the stairs of old Victorians in midtown. We split up into teams of 2 and headed out to pre-determined locations to get lost in plans, sections, elevations and perspectives. After a few hours we met back up, enjoyed our brown bag lunches, taped our work on a few old doors and discussed our findings. Given that actual hand sketching is quickly becoming a lost art in the profession, it was nice to put lead back in my hand and let the mind wander as it may. Felt like I was back in design studio in college... if only for a few hours on a beautiful Saturday morning.
-Brian L.
-Brian L.
Who's In Charge?
Early on a Friday morning those of us in the office looked around and noticed that Eric was the most senior member of our staff that was in the office. Eric found this rather funny that he was now "techinally" in charge and decided to play the part...
Eric playing the part of Greg. Although, come to think of it... I have never seen Greg with his feet up. I have however seen Eric with his feet up many times. So, I think Eric is playing himself here... just in Greg's office.
Amber playing Terry. This is more accurate as to feet placement.
Brian being Jack. Why is he so close to the computer screen? Well, Jack is getting up there (59 this week!)... and his eyes aren't what they used to be.
Kim as James. James is our fearless quality control leader. Kim is 'green' marking some drawings... she's only inches away because like Jack, James's eyes aren't what they used to be either.
Joey the dog sitting in for Dan. If you know Dan you have heard his love for dogs. What started as "let's get a dog for the kids" has now turned into an obsession and now Dan looks after 4 dogs. It was only fitting that Joey take over Dan's spot. 
Brian playing Robi. If you know Robi you've already laughed at the picture.
Need Help?
For those of you who have been or still are addicted to angry birds... you'll get the image below.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Rebuilding Together
And so the day begins...
Tom and Brian tearing off the fascia and eave sheathing
Brian trimming some overgrown trees
Regina and Yingxi playing in the dirt
We have conquered the eaves! Now on to painting...
Regina and Yingxi still hard at work while Amber supervises
Isn't tampering with a federal mailbox a felony? Amber was a Jill of all trades... painter, taper, dissembler, re-assembler, etc...
Regina reliving her Nebraska youth days by riding in the bed of a truck. 
More painting...Tom, Yingxi, Regina, Amber and Brian were on hand, to lend a hand at this years Rebuilding Together house. We were part of a huge crew that included high school students and Raley's supermarket corporate employees, as well as many other helpers. It was a beautiful day and by the end of it the owners were on their way to having a beautiful house once again.
