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Located on 400 acres in the heart of California’s wine country, Safari West is home for over 400 exotic mammals and birds. Its not a zoo, not a drive-through park, it’s a wildlife preserve where you can see some of nature’s most beautiful animals in a natural habitat. Established by Peter Lang in 1989, Safari West gained membership in the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, one of only six private facilities in North America to belong to that prestigious organization. The ongoing mission of Safari West is wildlife preservation through breeding, education, research and public interaction.

We took a weekend trip up to the Safari and stayed overnight in tents. It was freezing but a great experience. Enjoy some of the video I took:

Today my wife and I ran the Bay to Breakers. This is an annual footrace which takes place in San Francisco, California. The name reflects the fact that the race runs from the northeast end of the downtown area near The Embarcadero (the Bay side of the city) to the west end of the city and Ocean Beach (the ocean breakers near the finish line on the Pacific coast). The race is 7.46 miles (12 kilometers) long.The course begins at the northeast end and runs southwest through downtown just south of Market Street. The first mile of the race is so crowded that many participants must walk it.

It then turns west along Hayes Street and up Hayes Street Hill near Alamo Square. This is the only major incline in the surprisingly flat (considering it runs through San Francisco) race. After the hill, the race runs along the panhandle and then west through Golden Gate Park, past the Conservatory of Flowers, all the way to Great Highway and Ocean Beach.

Started in 1912 as a way to lift the city’s spirits after the disastrous 1906 San Francisco earthquake, it is the longest consecutively running footrace in the world (other races’ courses and lengths have changed over time). During World War II participation sometimes slipped below 50 registrants, but the tradition carried on and the race now also holds the Guinness World Record for the highest participation footrace with 110,000 runners in 1986. This record number was partly the product of the running fad of the 1980s; more recently the average participation is between 70,000 and 80,000. The San Francisco Examiner annually publishes a list of the first 10,000 finishers the day after the race.

Large numbers of participants walk the route behind the runners. Many participants dress in elaborate costumes or, though not technically allowed, wear nothing at all, thus lending a party atmosphere to the event. Bay to Breakers is also the world’s premiere event for “centipede racers.” Competiting teams in the centipede race must consist of a minimum of 13 runners tethered together, usually in some artistic fashion. I’ve included a couple of pictures of an ”Salmon” centipede below. 

An additional runner, a floater, usually the team captain, is allowed to run along untethered to pace the team or substitute for drop out runner. Despite the novelty, the centipede race is very competitive. The centipede winners used to have better finishing records than the women’s division until just a decade ago.

The route is typically dotted with various local bands performing. At the end of the race is Footstock, a gathering where tired participants can enjoy a performance by a nationally known acts. Here are some pictures of us from this year (2007) and prior years (2003 and 2002):

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles.  If you ever have an opportunity to attend, I highly recommend it.  My company has been a sponsor of this conference, and many others, over the years and I can say this is truly one of the most unique conferences today.

More than 3,000 of the world’s leading decision-makers gather in Los Angeles to attend over 120 sessions that examine challenging global issues from reducing our dependence on oil to ensuring that people everywhere have access to a good education, quality health care and well-paying jobs.

Some of the highlights of the conference included director Sydney Pollack interviewing architect Frank Gehry, a look at public-figure philanthropy with Andre Agassi, Michael J. Fox and Ted Turner, and a session on the politics of climate change with Sen. John Kerry and other experts.

I didn’t have a lot of time at the conference but I did manage to attend a very good luncheon hosted by financier Mike Milken, an interview with actor Kirk Douglas, a breakfast by publisher Steve Forbes, and a luncheon hosted by Maria Bartiromo of CNBC fame.

Nobel Laureates in Economics Address “The Future of Capitalism”

This luncheon was moderated by Michael Milken and included three Nobel Laureates (Kenneth Arrow, Gary Becker, Myron Scholes).  He posed an expansive question for them: What is the future of global capitalism? The result was a wide-ranging, big-picture discussion of the role capitalism has played in increasing society’s welfare, and whether this development is likely to continue.  Overall, the panelists were quite positive and there were some interesting charts regarding the positives and negatives and the role technology has played in our population development.

A Conversation With Kirk Douglas

I have always been a huge fan of Kirk Douglas movies (and his son) and so it was really interesting to attend this interview hosted by Mort Zuckerman, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of U.S. News & World Report.  Kirk has appeared in more than 70 films over six decades in Hollywood.

At 90 years old, Kirk discussed his latest autobiographical book titled ”Let’s Face It”.  He has had a stroke so his speech was a little slurred but he was very understandable.  He spoke at length about the need for peace in the world for our children’s sake, the suicide of his youngest son, the great achievements of his son Michael Douglas, and his views regarding racism in the USA.  One of the final questions/comments came from the mother of Joachim and River Phoenix who shared her similar experiences raising her sons.

U.S. Overview: Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold?

This panel was moderated by Steve Forbes, President and CEO of Forbes Inc., and included Brian Fabbri (Chief U.S. Economist for North America, BNP Paribas), Angelo Mozilo (Chairman and CEO, Countrywide Financial Corporation), Peter Orszag (Director, Congressional Budget Office) and Andrew Rosenfield (Managing Partner, Guggenheim Partners). 

The panel revolved around questions regarding whether the U.S. is poised for a return of the “Goldilocks economy” similar to 1995-96 - not too strong to cause inflation yet not too weak to slip into recession? (In other words, just right.) 

2007: The Year of Private Equity?

This panel had a lot of glitz but not a lot of substance or meaningful takeaways.  The panel was moderated by Maria Bartiromo, Managing Editor and Anchor of ”The Wall Street Journal Report” for CNBC.  On the panel were CEOs of some of the top private equity firms in the U.S. including Leon Black (Founding Partner, Apollo Advisors LP), David Bonderman (Principal and Founding Partner, Texas Pacific Group), Thomas Lee (President and CEO, Thomas H. Lee Capital LLC) and David Rubenstein (Managing Director, The Carlyle Group).

These firms have bought some of the most recognized public companies in America: Reader’s Digest, Dunkin’ Donuts, Toys-R-Us, Neiman Marcus and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. These private-equity firms have changed their image and are now viewed by many as financial saviors, paying good money for underperforming companies and turning them around. And they are averaging 13 percent returns in the past two decades, which is good for institutional investors. Of course, not everyone views them so positively. Flush with money, and running short on targets, these investors have become more aggressive in their search for firms to buy, which has raised concerns with regulatory agencies both within and outside the U.S.

California is known as the state of golden opportunity. As one of the most diverse destinations in the world, traveling through California can be like taking a trip around the globe or recounting the pioneer days of the American West. You’ll be pleasantly surprised as you discover frontier towns as alive today as they were in 1848 when gold was first discovered. Or, you might find yourself in the middle of thriving cosmopolitan cities in which you will experience delightful neighborhoods where different cultures create an exciting blend of Eastern and Western traditions. California’s unique and rich mixture of people, cultures, and natural resources has inspired activities of every kind. Snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear rivers, spectacular beaches, lush greenery, and monumental redwood forests appeal to outdoor enthusiasts as well as vacationers who just want to relax. In addition, visitors have within their grasp numerous theme parks, fine restaurants, outstanding wineries, distinctive resorts and hotels, world-renowned museums and galleries, and the unparalleled entertainment industry.

SAN FRANCISCO

Even people who hate the USA love San Francisco. It has an atmosphere of genteel chic mixed with offbeat innovation, and a self-effacing flutter-of-the-eyelids quality so blatantly missing from brassy New York and plastic LA. This is a place that breeds alternatives: it’s the home of the Internet revolution, the Beat Generation, flower power, student protest and gay pride. One of the USA’s most attractive cities, San Francisco’s hilly streets provide some gorgeous glimpses of the San Francisco Bay and its famous bridges. This is a mosaic of a city, a big picture made from the colorful tiles of bustling Chinatown, the funky Mission, gay Castro, clubby SoMa, hippie Haight-Ashbury and faux-hemian North Beach.

Blue Angels

Every year the Blue Angels fly over San Francisco Bay.  Here are a few images I captured.

Coit Tower

Coit Tower was built by one of the wealthiest women in San Francisco as a “thank you” to the San Franciscan firemen who saved the city after the 1902 earthquake and subsequent fires.

Lombard Street

Known as the most “crooked” street in the U.S.A., Lombard Street gets its fair share of tourists every day.

National Art Museum

Located at one of the hills of San Francisco, this is a great escape from the bustle of the city.

Alcatraz

This is the tourist attraction in San Francisco.  Its a short ferry ride from the city and is definitely a must-see when you are in town.  There is also a night tour one can take which allows you entry into areas not generally open to the public.

The Cliff House

Located on the western side of the San Francisco Peninsula, this is a good place for brunch.  In the past there was a old amusement park and a bath house which have since been moved or demolished.

Fisherman’s Wharf

Another of the major San Francisco tourist spots, this is a great place to watch the sea lions go to the bathroom!

The Palace of Fine Arts

Better known as the place where Sean Connery is cornered by the police in the movie, The Rock, this is a great place to have a picnic and enjoy the local planetarium.

NAPA VALLEY

If you have a free weekend, be sure to come to Napa Valley.  You can enjoy the vino at Robert Mondavi’s winery (pictured below) or enjoy some of the other varietals depending on your taste!

BAKERSFIELD

There is nothing like white water rafting in Bakersfield! The rapids are mostly Class 3 and 4 but there are a few Class 5 rapids you can enjoy as well.

LOS ANGELES

It’s possible that Los Angeles is a figment of its own imagination. No other city studies itself so intently - on film, television and in glossy magazines. LA is where the American Dream is manufactured, and if you’re not prepared to embrace the dream, you’ll doubtless find it filthy, irritating, frightening or just plain dumb. But if you long to stand in the footsteps of stars and breathe their hallowed air, you’ve come to the right place. In this town, even chefs are household names and nobodies erect billboard shrines to themselves. Needless to say, its one of the best cities in the U.S. to visit and their are almost innumerable attractions and activities one could partake during a stay here.

Universal Studios

Mann Chinese Theater

Below are some pictures we took at our office Christmas lunch at the Ritz Carlton in San Francisco.

Below is a picture we took at my good friend Andy Jhawar’s wedding at the Bel Air Hotel.  This is the crew from our office: (Back) Dave, Chris, Andrew, Joe, Matt, Brian, Jesse; (Front) Leo, Eric, Andy, Me