Author: Alfredo Casuso

Media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

Reception at Kilroy Realty Announces Winners of 17^th Annual International Ocean Film Festival:
San Francisco March 12 – 15, 2020

Celebration of cinema about marine life, the ocean, coastal cultures and conservation features works from 15 countries:
Four World, Six U.S., Nine West and Six Bay Area Premieres

www.intloceanfilmfest.org 

20 February 2020- San Francisco, CA: San Francisco’s International Ocean Film Festival (www.intloceanfilmfest.org) has selected 12 films for special honors at this year’s 17^th annual showcase, March 12 – 15. The award-winners recognize works highlightingenvironmental awareness, animation, wildlife, coastal conservation, citizen science, sports & adventure and short subjects. The annual awards are handed out at the end of each program at which the winner’s film is screened. The winning films were announced this past Tuesday night at a reception at the Kilroy Innovation Center in downtown San Francisco. Kilroy is a Real Estate Investment Trust that is committed to sustainable developments, operations and practices of its buildings and setting the benchmark in commercial real estate, world-wide.

“These films are as diverse as the oceans they celebrate, said Ana Blanco, Executive Director for the International Ocean Film Festival. “We are all ‘winners’ for being able to share these filmmakers’ vision and insights.”

“I am proud to be part of a company that brings together organizations with shared values and fosters innovation in sustainability,” said Vaishali Sampat, Manager of Sustainability for Kilroy Realty Corporation. Kilroy Realty recently announced that it will be the first developer in North America to be carbon neutral by the end of 2020. 

Since its launch in 2004, the San Francisco-based International Ocean Film Festival has attracted thousands of spectators of all ages from around the world, including film enthusiasts, sea athletes, educators, and environmental supporters. Since then, the Festival has presented on average over 50 films annually from 15 different countries and featured post-film Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers, special panel discussions with content experts, and the Annual Free Student Education Program. It was the first event of its kind in North America, inspired by the well-established ocean festival in Toulon, France, Festival International du Film Maritime, which has continued to draw large audiences for more than 40 years. The International Ocean Film Festival is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit.

Current sponsors for the 17^th Annual International Ocean Film Festival include National Marine Sanctuary, BigBus of San Francisco, Gray Line Tours, SSA, Alcatraz Cruises, the Port of San Francisco, the Consul General of Canada, Blue and Gold Ferry, RBC Wealth Management, Pacific Gas & Electric, Troutman Sanders and Pepper Hamilton LLP.

The 17th Annual International Ocean Film Festival takes place March 12 – 15, 2020 at San Francisco’s Cowell Theatre at Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture, as well as the Smith Rafael Film Center in Marin County and the Roxie Theater in the Mission District of SF. The International Ocean Film Festival is a registered 501(c) 3 non-profit. www.intloceanfilmfest.org and social at: 

• https://www.facebook.com/intloceanfilmfest
• Twitter @oceanfilmfest
• Instagram @intloceanfilmfest

International Ocean Film Festival 2020 Official Award Winners

Cowell Theater

Thursday March 12 at 6:30 pm – Program #2 – Opening Night

• Diving Deep: The Life and Times of Mike DeGruy, Mimi Armstrong DeGruy*, United States, 83 min – 2020 Director’sAward

Friday March 13 at 1 pm – Program #3: Canada Program

Presented by SSA

• The Mill, David Craig, Canada, 52 min – 2020 EnvironmentAward

Friday March 13 at 4 pm – Program #4

Presented by the Consul General of Canada

• One Breath Around the World, Guillaume Néry, France, 13 min – 2020 Adventure/Ocean Sports Award

Saturday March 14 at 4 pm – Program #8 – TRT: 88 min

Presented by Gray Line Tours

• Dammed to Extinction, Michael Peterson, United States, 51 min – 2020 ConservationAward

Saturday March 14 at 7 pm – Program #9

Presented by BigBus San Francisco

• Our Atoll Speaks, Ko Talatala Mai Tō Mātou Wenua, Gemma Cubero del Barrio*, United States, 12 min – 2020 Coastal CultureAward
• Octopus: Making Contact, Anna Fitch*, United Kingdom, 59 min – 2020 Marine ScienceAward

Sunday March 15 at 1pm – Program #11

Presented by the Port of San Francisco

• Dick Ogg: Fisherman, Cynthia Abbott*, United States, 9 min – 2020 ShortAward
• Artifishal, Josh Murphy*, United States, 80 min – 2020 Golden GateAward

Sunday March 15 at 4 pm – Program #12: Whales

Presented by RBC Wealth Management

• Whale Wisdom, Rick Rosenthal*, United States, 50 min – 2020 WildlifeAward

Smith Rafael Film Center

Friday March 13 at 4pm – Program #1

• Octopus: Making Contact, Anna Fitch*, United Kingdom, 59 min – 2020 Marine ScienceAward

Saturday March 14 at 7pm – Program #2

• Whale Wisdom, Rick Rosenthal*, United States, 50 min – 2020 Wildlife Award

Roxie Theater

Saturday March 14 at 1:00 pm – Program #1

• Dick Ogg: Fisherman, Cynthia Abbott*, United States, 9 min – 2020 ShortAward

*Filmmaker expected for post-screening Q&A

**Film representative expected for post-screening Q&A

Media contact: David Perry / David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

Le Dîner en Blanc Comes to Palm Springs First Edition of Sought-After Secret “Pop Up” Event: Saturday, May 16

The Waiting List for the International Sensation is Now Open!

20 February 2020 – Palm Springs, CA:  Le Dîner en Blanc, the popular Parisian-style pop-up picnic characterized by its famous all-white dress code will take place in Palm Springs for the first time ever on Saturday, May 16. A large part of the excitement surrounding Le Dîner en Blanc is the secrecy surrounding the event location which is kept hidden until the very last moment. Guests are given rendezvous to a departure point when they purchase their tickets.

To participate in this first edition: guests must be invited via the hosts’ network or participating partners or get on the waiting list via the official website. To be part of this inaugural event, people can sign up now at register.dinerenblanc.com/palmsprings/en/register.

More than 130,000 foodies and cultural enthusiasts around the world have already embraced this unique event. This très chic picnic is equal parts mystery tour, pop-up feast and je ne sais quoi. Over the years, Le Dîner en Blanc has become a worldwide epicurean phenomenon. What was a “friends and word-of-mouth only” event has grown into an international sensation celebrated on six continents. Launched in Paris in 1988 by François Pasquier and a handful of friends, Le Dîner en Blanc de Paris marked its 30th anniversary in 2018 with a record 17,000 guests from Paris and around the world. While the technology behind the event may have changed over the years, the principle fuelling this fantastic event has not: guests continue to gather at a secret location for the sole purpose of sharing a gourmet meal with good friends in one of their city’s most beautiful locations.

Now for the first time ever, Palm Spring will welcome its very own Le Dîner en Blanc, thanks to local hosts Glenn Alexander and Geoffrey Macon.

“Le Dîner en Blanc captures the spirit of friendship, glamour, and European elegance,” said Alexander and Macon in a statement. “We love the history and anticipation of the Dîner en Blanc events around the world. We’re excited to bring the international sensation that is Le Dîner en Blanc to Palm Springs and the Greater Coachella Valley.

In essence, Le Dîner en Blanc promotes friendship, elegance and gallantry.  To maintain its uniqueness as well as staying true to tradition of Le Dîner en Blanc, guests must observe certain requirements and follow a few key rules: 

• Once confirmed, each guest’s participation becomes mandatory, regardless of weather conditions.  This is a rain or shine event. 
• Dress code:  elegant and white only.  Originality and creativity are encouraged as long as it is stylish and tasteful. 
• Table setting:  all white!
• Champagne and/or wine. Beer and hard liquor are prohibited. 
  • As per Palm Springs and Riverside County laws / regulations, guests may not bring their own alcohol. Guests wishing to enjoy some wine or sparkling wine/Champagne, must reserve online through Le Dîner en Blanc’s e-store. However, guests are welcome to bring their own non-alcoholic beverages.   
• To ensure that the location secret is kept secret until last minute, guests meet at an assigned departure location and are escorted by Le Dîner en Blanc volunteers.
• In order to leave the event location as clean as when they arrived, guests are required to leave with all their belongings, leftovers and litter.

Guests must bring:

• A table, two (white) chairs, white tablecloth.
• A picnic basket comprising fine food and proper stemware and white dinnerware. 
  • An option to pre-order food which can be picked up at the site, will be available for those who do not wish to pack their own picnic baskets. Guests wishing to do so must reserve online through Le Dîner en Blanc’s e-store.

About Dîner en Blanc International:

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Dîner en Blanc International is responsible for developing this secret posh picnic in over 80 cities in 30 countries around the world. Each event is headed by passionate local organizers who fell in love with the concept and wanted to bring it to their city, giving this rendezvous a local flair. For more info, photos and videos of Dîner en Blanc events from around the world, visit dinerenblanc.com.

About the Hosts of Le Dîner en Blanc – Palm Springs:

Le Dîner en Blanc – Palm Springs will be hosted by Glenn Alexander and Geoffrey Macon.  A seasoned corporate event planner, Glenn Alexander has designed and executed corporate events for over 25 years. Having established his own event management company, Meeting Excellence in the Bay Area, Glenn Alexander now resides in Palm Springs, CA and brings his unique talent to the Coachella Valley. For over 20 years, Glenn has organized national and international events on behalf of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries under the leadership of Bishop Yvette Flunder. His work with this non-profit and other charitable organizations has proven invaluable.  

Geoffrey Macon is a fourth generation native Angeleno. Following an undergraduate degree in social sciences, Geoffrey forged a 20-year career in banking culminating as a Vice President and Manager in the Beverly Hills/Hollywood community. Forming Macon Enterprises, Geoffrey entered the retail housewares market creating ethnic inspired dinnerware that sold in the marketplace. He later established a haberdashery in West Hollywood creating made-to-measure clothing for professionals and celebrities. Geoffrey spent another 20 years in education and administration instructing elementary students in the Compton Unified School District. Now residing in Palm Springs, Geoffrey is an active volunteer with the Palm Springs International Film Festival, the Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre and the BNP Baribas Tennis Tournament in Indian Wells.

To keep up to date on event announcements, visit palmsprings.dinerenblanc.com or

DinerEnBlanc.PalmSprings   dinerenblancpalmspringsca

#dinerenblanc #debpalmsprings2020

Media Contacts:

Jay Cheng, SF Chamber of Commerce, (408) 691-0423 / jcheng@sfchamber.com

David Perry, David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

THE BAY AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME AND THE SAN FRANCISCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCE THE INDUCTEE CLASS OF 2020

12 February 2020 – San Francisco, CA – The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce are proud to jointly announce the selection of the 2020 inductee class. The inductees will be honored at the 41st Annual Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement Banquet on Monday, May 11, 2020 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, CA.

We are very honored to present the following inductees for 2020:

• Bruce Bochy (Baseball)
• Paul Cayard (Sailing)
• Natalie Coughlin (Swimming)
• Rickey Henderson (Baseball)
• Bryant Young (Football)

The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce are joining their organizations to propel the Hall of Fame into its next decade of meaningful work. The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame is committed to honoring and celebrating the outstanding athletic achievement of Bay Area athletes.

“On behalf of our Board of Directors, I am extremely excited about the 2020 class of honorees and look forward to celebrating their contributions to the Bay Area community on the evening of May 11,”, said Mario Alioto, BASHOF Board Chairman.

Rodney Fong, President and CEO of The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce stated: “The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce is excited to work even more closely together with BASHOF after years of partnership. Together we can take the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame to another level. There’s a great future ahead!”

About Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame:

The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization that began in 1979 with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce’s Sports Committee and Lou Spadia, former president of the San Francisco 49ers. Now in its 41st year and adhering to its goal of honoring local athletic legends in the name of benefiting youth sports, the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame has donated over $4 million to over 600 youth sports programs in the Bay Area since inception.

Organizations that will be the recipients of funds raised from this year’s banquet will be announced in the near future.

About San Francisco Chamber of Commerce:

The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce represents over a thousand local businesses in the City, ranging from small legacy restaurants to large innovation companies. Over 80% of SF Chamber members are small, locally owned businesses. The SF Chamber advocates for a progressive economy and high quality of life for everyone who lives, works and visits the City.

Learn more at www.sfchamber.com.

About the 2020 Inductee Class:

• Bruce Bochy – Former MLB player with the Astros – Mets – Padres. Manager of the Padres(1995-2006) – Manager of the SF Giants (2007-2019). NL pennant with the Padres in 1998.World Series Champion with the Giants (2010-2012-2014). 2,003 wins as a Manager.
  
• Paul Cayard – San Francisco native. Graduated from San Francisco State. 7 Time World Champion, 2 Time Olympian (1984 & 2004), 1st American to Win the Round the World Race. Participated in the America’s Cup. Currently Chairman of the St. Francis Yacht Club.
  
• Natalie Coughlin – Twelve-time Olympic medalist, while attending the University of California, Berkeley, she became the first woman ever to swim the 100-meter backstroke (long course) in less than one minute – ten days before her 20th birthday in 2002. At the 2008 Summer Olympics, she became the first U.S. female athlete in modern Olympic history to win six medals in one Olympiad, and the first woman ever to win a 100-meter backstroke gold in two consecutive Olympics. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, she earned a bronze medal in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. Her total of twelve Olympic medals ties her with Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres for the most all-time medals be a female swimmer.
  
• Ricky Henderson – Four tenures with the Oakland A’s. Graduated from Oakland Tech HS. 10x All-Star – 2x World Series Champion. AL MVP (1990. 1,406 Stolen Bases). Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.
  
• Bryant Young – SF 49er Defensive Lineman (1994-1997). Super Bowl XXIX Champion. 4x Pro Bowl. First Team All-Pro (1996). NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1999). First team All-America (1993).

Media Contacts:
Jay Cheng, SF Chamber of Commerce, (408) 691-0423 / jcheng@sfchamber.com

David Perry, David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

MEDIA ADVISORY / REQUEST FOR ONSITE COVERAGE:
Tuesday, February 11 – 12noon

THE BAY AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME & THE SAN FRANCISCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCE THE INDUCTEE CLASS OF 2020

The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce are proud to jointly announce the selection of the 2020 inductee class. Join in-person as we announce the inductees, which will include Bay Area legends in baseball, football, swimming, and sailing.

WHAT: 
Press Conference announcing the 2020 inductees to the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.

WHERE: 
San Francisco Union Square (Geary & Powell Streets)

WHEN: 
Tuesday; February 11, 2020; 12 noon

WHO:
Mario Alioto, Board Chairman of the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame
Rodney Fong, CEO and President of the SF Chamber of Commerce
Paul Cayard, 7x World Champion, 2x Olympian
Bay Area Sports Fans and Leaders

Learn more about the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame: https://bashof.org/

Learn more about the SF Chamber of Commerce: https://sfchamber.com/

Media contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com 

WHO: AsiaSF / Palm Springs Opens Tonight with Sold Out First Weekend

WHAT: Cal-Asian Restaurant, Cabaret, Dinner Theater and Night Club Features Transgender Performers

WHERE: 1555 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs

WHEN: Saturday, February 8: 5:30pm dinner and show

Sunday, February 9: 7pm dinner and show
“Lotus Lounge” Bar opening at 3pm

Regular Hours Starting Wednesday, February 12:

Dinner & Shows: Wednesday / Thursday / Sunday: 7pm
Friday & Saturday: 5:30pm & 8pm
Lotus Lounge Bar: every day, 3pm – close
(Happy Hour Prices: 3pm – 6pm)
Forbidden City Dance Club: Friday & Saturday, 10pm – 2am)

WEB: www.palmsprings.asiasf.com 

HOW TO RESERVE: For individual reservations, groups and special events go to www.palmsprings.asiasf.comcall (760) 249-2766.  

WHY: With Vegas commercial style choreography by Ronnie Reddick and award-winning Cal-Asian cuisine from Chef Jen Solomon, AsiaSF/Palm Springs is a unique interactive, cabaret and dinner entertainment experience. From the moment one enters, the internationally acclaimed “Ladies of AsiaSF” will entertain and enlighten you, complete with stand-out-performances featuring original creations by Julian Mendez Couture and Prime Kreations of Los Angeles who has designed for Beyoncé and Kendall Jenner.  AsiaSF’s spectacular interiors, calling to mind a “1930s Shanghai” aesthetic are by Joshua Rowland Interiors.  In addition, taking advantage of the Coachella Valley’s indoor/outdoor lifestyle, the new location will also feature a special outdoor pool club event space with cabanas, bar and luxurious lawn known as The Sonoran.