NextNow Member Blog

From: —— —Jeff SAPERSTEIN <sapermktg@earthlink.net>

Lately, I see so many NextNowers who sheepishly, regretfully, and disappointingly admit they had so wanted to come on whatever hike had been planned, but with best intentions, just could not go. Enough, already! No more excuses! For all those who pass the chance to have a day of glorious nature, wonderful conversation, and phenomenal rejuvenation, I say this one is for you!— So close the laptop, don’t answer that e mail, forget the websites and streaming video, drop the second virtual life—get a real life for this one day—April 25— and join your kindred spirits for a Spring hike on Mt Tam.

Yes, the glorious change of season has begun as the flowers and buds are bursting, leaf colors are glistening, and the trails are transforming from mud to soft, gentle mother earth awaiting your footsteps.

Today, I ventured on the mountain to confirm that my hopes and expectations would be fulfilled for the intrepid group who arrives on April 25 to behold gushing streams and soaring vistas on one of the great trails in Marin— Rock Springs to the West Point Inn. I am pleased to report that Rock Springs Trail 1.0 is unfailingly magnificent—no upgrades or debugging required.

So here are the logistics:

Day: Sunday, April 25
Time for meeting: 12 PM
Location: Mt Tam Rock Springs Parking Lot
Hiking difficulty: Easy to moderate
Length: about 3.5 miles round trip
Food: bring your own lunch for a picnic at West Point Inn
Water and bathrooms: Plenty of water fountains; clean, well-maintained bathrooms along the trail; hey, this is Marin!

Getting there:
From US 101 in Marin County, exit #445b CA 1/Mill Valley/Stinson Beach and drive on Shoreline Highway to the junction with Almonte (look for the CA 1 sign), about 1 mile. Turn left, continuing on Shoreline, and drive about 2.5 miles to the junction with Panoramic Highway. Turn right on Panoramic and drive about 5.5 miles to the junction with Pantoll Road. Turn right onto Pantoll and drive another 1.5 miles to the Rock Spring Trailhead, which is at the junction of East and West Ridgecrests.

Please RSVP to Jeff Saperstein: sapermktg@earthlink.net

For those who wish to continue the party we can have a drink at Mountain Home Inn and then proceed to have dinner in Mill Valley for total self-indulgence with no contrived urgency.

Hope to see you on the trail.

Jeff
Jeff Saperstein
Jeff Saperstein & Associates
244 Oakdale Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94941
phone 415-383-7435
mobile 415-706-9300
www.creatingregionalwealth.com

From: —— —Valerie LANDAU <vlandau@gmail.com>

Ready for a trip to Cuba in June? I can get you a legal visa IF you are professional AND this itinerary will help you with research in your career.

With big encouragement from Betsy, I am trying to put together a tour of Cuba for June….would you like to come with me?

See the itinerary

Proposed NextNow Technology research Program
(still open to suggestions)
June 20-30, 2010

Visit Havana to meet with city officials and visit sustainable urban farms and farmer’s markets. Tour the colonial city. Meet with artists (TV, film, visual and performing arts)

Off to colonial city of Trinidad and Topes de Collantes (hot springs and wild life preserve- one of the largest international effort to preserve bio diversity) Meet with local officials and conduct individual research

Visit rural coastal towns to see how they managed to sustain industry (rum factory) and preserve and improve the coastal areas. Visit rural computer clubs.

Back to Havana- and visit the University of Information Tech (site of the former Soviet Missile Base)

Based on a minimum of 8 participants

COSTS:

AIR: $369 Roundtrip Miami/Havana/Miami (tentative: cost has not yet been set and authorized for June

VISA: $50 per person

$1,300 per person in a double room

$1,500 per person in a single room

Includes:

Program as attached including bus transportation, bi-lingual guide and site visits and meetings

5 nights at the Hotel Victoria with breakfast daily

3 nights at Topes de Collantes with two meals perday in the Escambray mountains

2 nights at Villa Tropico at Jibacoa with all meals included

2 additional lunches as described in the program

Health insurance in Cuba

Not included:

Cuban departure tax – approximately $30 USD paid at departure from Cuba

Other meals not listed

http://www.google.com/buzz/106223084650093919603/DKNrp3tu2e1/Photos-by-Bill-Daul-of-Doug-Engelbarts-85th

Photos and video from Douglas Engelbart’s 85th birthday celebration at
The Tech Museum
http://valerielandau.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/doug-engelbart-85th-birthday-is-january-30/