One Year Ago…

March 10, 2012 marks the one-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that destroyed tens of thousands of lives in the worst natural disaster in the history of Japan. It is estimated that it will take over ten years and billions of dollars to rebuild the areas affected in the Tohoku region of Northern Japan. In addition to over 200 children orphaned in the disaster, thousands of children were affected due to loss of their homes, schools, and other belongings.

We have an opportunity to stand and support the relief efforts in the Tohoku area, especially for the children.

Music at the Mission, a classical chamber music organization in Fremont, is taking that stand, and staging a benefit concert to raise funds for those children in need.

This concert on March 10, 2012, will feature the renowned Somei Yoshino Taiko Ensemble, and a collaborative performance with the “Music at the Mission Chamber Players in a unique setting in the Mission chapel at Old Mission San Jose in Fremont.

Monies raised will support the “Smiles & Dreams: Tohoku Kids’ Support Project”, a collaboration of Living Dreams and Smile Kids Japanorganizations dedicated to supporting children through “Learning, Arts, Sports and Technology” programs.

We can’t do it alone. We need your help. This is our opportunity, for our community to come together to show support and solidarity for those children in need.

Thank you for your support!

http://www.musicatmsj.org/oneyearafter

With a quick tour of both the grocery and Topher’s SEAM Studio, you feel their commitment of making a positive difference in everything they touch. From their unique and award-winning landscape and urban designs to their concerns for the health, happiness and well-being of people in their lives, the SEAM Studio/Gluten Free Grocery family welcomes you to a fresh, new experience… Business the way it should be.
Gluten Free Grocery / SEAM Studio
600 Illinois St.
San Francisco, CA 94107
415.621.9899
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We all talk about our concern for the environment, green house gas emissions, global warming. But what does that all mean? There seems to be as many different perspectives as well arguments of whether this is real or not. “Global warming is a hoax.” I’ve heard this statement many times on news talk radio as well as in various news sources. “The economy is cyclical. Wait a few years and the market will return.” “The OPEC nations have a choke-hold on our economy by controlling oil prices.” “Technological advances will improve food production, health and well-being of our society, and improve the quality of life.” “The economy is improving, as we anxiously await the IPO of ….”.

Unfortunately, (or fortunately) we all are contributors to the fate of our economy and society. it is easy to blame, yet hard to change our ways. As fragile our situation is right now, can we make a difference?

There is a movement of enlightened thought leaders who say that the only way we can make the world a better place is our own “behavioral change”. We have the power within ourselves to make a difference. To take stock of our daily lives and see where we can alter the destructive pattern of behavior… the habits of years of conditioning and disregard.

Ideals such as “Seven generation sustainbility“ where the Iroquois Nation’s belief that  ”the decisions they make today would affect their children seven generations into the future” are starting to take root. And around the world, leaders are talking about new metrics of societal success beyond GDP. More recently the concept of“Gross National Happiness“ was presented by Allen Miner, CEO and founder of Sunbridge Partners to an audience of budding entrepreneurs at the Keizai Society business forum, May 4, 2012. And the Silicon Valley chapter of Seiwa Jyuku, professing the philosophies of Kazuo Inamori, founder and former chairman of Kyocera talks about change within ourselves to make profound changes in the business community.

The time is ripe for a new “rebirth” of Silicon Valley and it is not just about technological breakthroughs and IPOs. It is about how we view ourselves in relationship to our community, how we can make positive changes within ourselves, and share those changes with others.