Music-themed drama speaks to the struggle between our collective past and our individual histories from feminist and African-American perspectives

SAN JOSE, CA (August 18, 2010)—San Jose Repertory Theatre kicks off its 30th Anniversary Season with the West Coast Premiere of Black Pearl Sings!, penned by Frank Higgins and directed by the Rep’s Artistic Director Rick Lombardo. Black Pearl Sings! is the compelling musical drama that tells the story of two extraordinary women—a jailed African-American songstress and a Caucasian academic—whose fates become intertwined. Performances begin September 2nd and continue until September 26th. Pay What You Will performance is on Thursday, September 2nd at 8:00 p.m. Press Opening Night is on September 8th at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the San Jose Rep Box Office at 101 Paseo de San Antonio or can be purchased online at www.SJRep.com or by calling 408.367.7255.

Orchard Supply Hardware Celebrates Grand Opening
of a New Store in Concord on September 11

Events include an appearance by Danielle Hirsch, co-host of HGTV’s Color Splash

SAN JOSE, Calif.—August 16, 2010—A new Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH) store officially opens in Concord, California, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday, September 11, and exciting events throughout the entire weekend, including an appearance by HGTV’s Color Splash co-host Danielle Hirsch. OSH customers attending the Grand Opening will have the opportunity to win a $1,000 OSH shopping spree and other great prizes.

The 43,000-square-foot OSH store at 5424 Ygnacio Valley Road in the Clayton Valley Shopping Center will employ 60 associates, according to Gary Siegrist, OSH store manager.

“OSH is proud to continue our steady growth in the current economic environment. The new OSH store in Concord will be the third location OSH has opened in the past year,” said Rob Lynch, President and CEO of OSH. “We are happy to be moving into this new neighborhood and eager to introduce customers in Clayton to our friendly Sales Associates who are eager to help and our wide selection of products for home and garden.”

Santa Rosa, California, – Santa Rosan Epic Bill Bradley, whose motto is "show up and suffer," returns to compete solo in The Relay, a 199-mile race across Northern California presented by Organs 'R' Us. Bradley will start in Calistoga on Thursday, April 29, stop in San Francisco at the 100-mile mark to swim 1.25-miles under the Golden Gate Bridge and then run the remaining 99 miles to the finish line in Davenport, near Santa Cruz.

While The Relay will be run by more than 250 teams of 12, Bradley is one of only four competitors who will pound out 199 miles individually, and he is the only person adventurous enough to swim across the San Francisco Bay in strong currents and rough water as part of his run. In 2008, with a time of 76 hours, he became one of only two people to ever complete The Relay as individuals. The other is ultra-marathoner Dean Karnazes.

"After that race, I wanted to do more," Bradley stated. "Once I know I can do it, I strive to keep challenging myself by seeking longer and more grueling endurance races.

Items include H1N1 flu infection control stations and a calming art installation for cancer patients

SAN JOSE, Calif.—November 23, 2009—This giving season the Valley Medical Center Foundation has kicked off its first-ever Holiday Wish List. The VMC Foundation seeks cash donations so that hospital staff can receive much-needed items to improve patient health, safety and comfort at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and the community clinics.

"During these tough economic times, we have to work harder than ever before to find the resources we need to provide the best care to our patients," said Christopher Wilder, executive director of the VMC Foundation. "The Holiday Wish List gives my colleagues and me an opportunity to raise money for some very important projects suggested by the hospital’s employees."

Staff submitted more than 40 suggestions for items to raise money for on the Holiday Wish List. A committee narrowed the list to four of the most critical items, worth just over $30,000 in all, including:

• Flu infection control stations to be placed at all hospital entrances and the clinics. These stations help visitors self-screen for illness, offer antibacterial gel and provide up-to-the-minute information on vaccines and outbreaks.
• A soothing art installation in VMC’s Sobrato Cancer Center, which features the state-of-the-art Linear Accelerator. The artworks will help reduce patients’ feelings of anxiety of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
• A motorized patient lift to position patients weakened by disease, or who are paraplegic or quadriplegic, on the imaging tables used by technologists and doctors. The motorized lift will reduce stress for patients and staff, and minimize the chance of pain and injury.
• Monitoring devices to prevent brain injury patients from taking dangerous falls while in the hospital. These patients are at a very high risk of falling if they try to get out of bed on their own. A fall could result in a broken bone or other trauma.

Nevada Opera Association Appoints New General Director

Reno, Nev., Aug. 5, 2009 -- Nevada Opera Association announced today that Diana E. Hoffman has joined the association as its General Director, providing new leadership to Nevada’s oldest professional performing arts organization and the state’s only professional opera company.

Ms. Hoffman has held a number of key executive roles in high-growth, global companies as well as carrying on a musical career. Prior to joining the Nevada Opera, she served as CEO and consultant to a variety of not-for-profit and technology companies.

In Silicon Valley, she co-founded a life science company, EnviroSystems, served as CEO/President and built the company from concept through commercialization. President George W. Bush recognized the company’s support of the World Trade Center relief effort and placed Ms. Hoffman on a trade mission to Mexico and then on the Corporate Responsibility panel at the Economic Summit in 2002. Ms. Hoffman also supported the US Commerce Department’s leadership in the first Americas Competitiveness Forum and established the public-private partnership panel for the Forum.