Author: andres@davidperry.com

2013 amgen tour of california PROMISES AN EXCITING EIGHT DAYS OF RACING

From World Champions to Olympians, Most Competitive Field in Eight Editions Features International and U.S. Cycling Superstars and Up-and-Comers

LOS ANGELES (May 8, 2013) – When the world’s most elite cyclists take the start line at the 2013 Amgen Tour of California professional road race in Escondido May 12, fans will spot some of the most notable professional cyclists from around the world. From veterans with multiple world titles under their belts to the leaders of the next generation of American cyclists, the peloton will be packed with fan favorites and a lot of talent.

“For the past eight years, the Amgen Tour of California has consistently drawn the top teams and competitors to race in California, the caliber of which hasn’t been seen in America in decades,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “We’re proud to have created an event that not only showcases the best in the world, but also gives young U.S. athletes a world stage on which to compete and grow to become the next cycling superstars.”

Over the past seven years, the race has become the largest cycling event in America, and is now one of the top races in the world. Whether competing for the overall title, or vying to shake things up on the course for a stage win, some of the most exciting moments of racing are expected from:

General Classification (Overall Contenders)
Tejay van Garderen (USA), BMC Racing Team
David Zabriskie (USA), Team Garmin-Sharp
Michael Rogers (AUS), Team Saxo-Tinkoff
Sylvain Chavanel (FRA), Omega Pharma – Quick-Step
Andy Schleck (LUX), RadioShack Leopard Trek
Timmy Duggan (USA), Team Saxo-Tinkoff
Thomas De Gendt (BEL), Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
Francisco Mancebo (ESP), 5-Hour ENERGY presented by

Climbers
Andy Schleck (LUX), RadioShack Leopard Trek
Markel Irizar Aranburu (ESP), RadioShack Leopard Trek
Tejay van Garderen (USA), BMC Racing Team
Amael Moinard (FRA), BMC Racing Team
Timmy Duggan (USA), Team Saxo-Tinkoff
Francisco Mancebo (ESP), 5-Hour ENERGY presented by Kenda Racing Team
Mathias Frank (SUI), BMC Racing Team
Chris Butler (USA), Champion System Pro Cycling Team
Haimar Zubeldia (ESP), RADIOSHACK LEOPARD TREK

Sprinters
Peter Sagan (SVK), Cannondale Pro Cycling
Tyler Farrar (USA), Team Garmin-Sharp
Thor Hushovd (NOR), BMC Racing Team
Cameron Meyer (AUS) ORICA GreenEDGE
Baden Cooke (AUS) ORICA GreenEDGE
J.J. Haedo (ARG), Team Jamis-Hagens Berman
Jacobe Keough (USA), UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team
Frank Pipp (USA), BISSELL Pro Cycling
Lawson Craddock (USA), Bontrager Cycling Team
Lieuwe Westra (NED), Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
Boy van Poppel (NED), Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
Stage Wins (One-Day Strongmen)
Peter Sagan (SVK), Cannondale Pro Cycling
Jens Voigt (GER), RadioShack Leopard Trek
Cameron Meyer (AUS), ORICA GreenEDGE
Johan Van Summeren (BEL), Team Garmin-Sharp
Philippe Gilbert (BEL), BMC Racing Team
Brent Bookwalter (USA), BMC Racing Team
Brian Vandborg (DEN), Cannondale Pro Cycling
Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP), Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team

Time Trialists
Jens Voigt (GER), RadioShack Leopard Trek
David Zabriskie (USA), Team Garmin-Sharp
Bert Grabsch (GER), Omega Pharma – Quick-Step
Tejay van Garderen (USA), BMC Racing Team
Brent Bookwalter (USA), BMC Racing Team
Cameron Meyer (AUS), ORICA GreenEDGE
Jeremy Vennell (NZL), BISSELL Pro Cycling
Tom Zirbel (USA), Optum Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefit Strategies
Sylvain Chavanel (FRA), Omega Pharma – Quick-Step
Ben Jacques-Maynes (USA), Team Jamis-Hagens Berman
Marco Pinotti (ITA), BMC Racing Team

Some other “riders to watch” include the healing heroes taking part in two Amgen Tour of California Ride 2 Recovery (R2R) Honor Rides in Escondido and Santa Rosa on race day to support R2R’s mental and physical rehabilitation programs that feature cycling as the core activity. And, there are plenty of ways to take in the pro action, whether in person on the race course May 12 – 19, via daily broadcasts on NBC Sports Network and NBC, or by downloading the free Tour Tracker app, which features live race updates, rider background and full race results. More information on all of the ways to watch is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

About the Amgen Tour of California

The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that stretches across nearly 750 miles of scenic California roadways, highways and coastlines from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the race, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

About Amgen

Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science’s promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow Amgen on www.twitter.com/amgen.

About Ride 2 Recovery (R2R)

The mission of Ride 2 Recovery is to improve the health and wellness of healing heroes through mental and physical rehabilitation programs that feature cycling as the core activity. In 2013, R2R is partnering with the Amgen Tour of California, featuring three ATOC Honor Rides to help raise funds. Palmdale, Escondido and Santa Rosa are the host cities, where cyclists ride parts of the professional cycling course, cross the actual finish line in Escondido on May 12 and Santa Rosa on May 19, and importantly, ride alongside healing heroes on a non-competitive, fun ride. For more information, visit .www.ride2recovery.com

About AEG

AEG is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. AEG, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Anschutz Company, owns or controls a collection of companies including facilities such as STAPLES Center, The Home Depot Center, Sprint Center, The O2, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE and Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Bay to Breakers foot race and the Amgen Tour of California cycling road race; AEG Live, the organization’s live-entertainment division, is a collection of companies dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance, touring and a variety of programming and multi-media production. For more information, visit AEG today at www.aegworldwide.com.

# # #
Media Contacts: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris
213-438-8888
etanner@golinharris.com

Amgen Tour of California REVEALS 2013 race jerseys

Custom Jerseys from Champion System Will Carry Leader Names for Each Stage, Including Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey Designed by Northern California Resident

LOS ANGELES (April 23, 2013) – The leader jersey lineup for the upcoming 2013 Amgen Tour of California professional road cycling race has been unveiled by race operator AEG.

A long-standing tradition in professional cycling, special race jerseys will be awarded daily to overall race leaders in several categories. New to the race this year, each award jersey from Champion System, the official jersey partner of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California, will carry the last name of the cyclist wearing it during competition – believed to be a first for any professional cycling race.

Earlier this month, Martinez, Calif. resident Matt Orendorff won AEG’s design contest for the 2013 Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey, chosen from a pool of submissions and determined by a panel of judges. Orendorff’s winning design, which will be featured in the race, prominently features the Breakaway from Cancer logo and a clean, sharp race-inspired design. His prize package includes a trip for him and one guest to one stage of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California, including round trip airfare, hotel accommodations, VIP Hospitality passes, a race merchandise package, and the opportunity to meet the Most Courageous Rider winner of the stage following the awards ceremony.

“Leader jerseys are one of the great traditions of cycling,” said Kristin Bachochin, executive director of the race and senior vice president of AEG Sports. “In the past seven editions of the Amgen Tour of California, we’ve seen some epic performances from the cyclists who have been awarded these top honors. I look forward to seeing how this year’s competition unfolds.”

“We wanted to create something for the Amgen Tour of California that brought our philosophy of customer unique branding to these leader jerseys. Each leader of each category will be wearing their personal branded jersey with their name on it, sporting a unique piece of this year’s race history,” said Scott Kaylin, president of Champion System.

The 2013 Amgen Tour of California, which will cover nearly 750 miles of scenic California roadways, highways and coastlines from May 12 – 19, will feature the world’s elite cyclists vying for these six leader jerseys:

Amgen Race Leader Jersey: The coveted yellow jersey is awarded daily to the rider with the lowest cumulative time over the entire race. The rider wearing this jersey often changes from stage to stage as each day’s results are added into the equation. It is possible for a rider to win the Amgen Race Leader Jersey without winning a daily stage since the jersey takes into account overall times.

Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey: This special and traditional jersey will be awarded daily to the cyclist who best exemplifies the character of those engaged in the fight against cancer – courage, sacrifice, inspiration, determination, and perseverance.

Nissan King of the Mountain (KOM) Jersey: The 2013 race is characterized by a great deal of climbing, and this jersey goes to the peloton’s strongest climber. A cyclist earns this jersey by collecting points at designated King of the Mountain (KOM) locations located at the tops of mountains and hills. Only the first three cyclists to reach the top on rated climbs receive points towards this award.

Visit California Sprint Jersey: The Sprint Jersey is awarded to the rider that accumulates the most bonus points, which are given based on Sprint Line performances as well as finishing the stage in the top-15 places. Cyclists who specialize in bursts of power and speed, or consistently finish near the top of each stage, will have the best chance to wear the respected green jersey.

Crunchies Best Young Rider Jersey: Crunchies, “Nature’s Ultimate Snack Food,” is a first-time sponsor of this sought-after Best Young Rider jersey. It will be awarded on the podium daily to the rider under age 24 with the least amount of elapsed time over the entire race to that point. This jersey is an easy way to spot rising cycling stars. .

For fans who covet race-day looks, official Amgen Tour of California leader jerseys and a limited edition race jersey are available exclusively at www.amgentourofcaliforniastore.com.

About the Amgen Tour of California

The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 12-19, 2013. For more information about the men’s and women’s races, please visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

About Amgen

Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science’s promise by bringing safe and effective medicines from lab, to manufacturing plant, to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bone disease and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about Amgen’s pioneering science and vital medicines, visit www.amgen.com. Follow Amgen on www.twitter.com/amgen.

About AEG

AEG is one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. AEG, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Anschutz Company, owns or controls a collection of companies including facilities such as STAPLES Center, The Home Depot Center, Sprint Center, The O2, Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE and Best Buy Theater Times Square; sports franchises including the Los Angeles Kings (NHL), two Major League Soccer franchises, two hockey franchises operated in Europe, management of privately held shares of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Bay to Breakers foot race and the Amgen Tour of California cycling road race; AEG Live, the organization’s live-entertainment division, is a collection of companies dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performance, touring and a variety of programming and multi-media production. For more information, visit AEG today at www.aegworldwide.com.

# # #
Media Contacts: Eileen Tanner, GolinHarris
213-438-8888
etanner@golinharris.com

Ten Percent – TV Listing. April 2013

Ten Percent — LGBT-TV for Northern California

Mondays – Fridays, 11:30am & 10:30pm and Saturdays & Sundays at 10:30pm on Comcast Hometown Network Channel 104 in Northern California.

www.comcasthometown.com

Episode # 184
Monday — Friday, April 8 – 12, 11:30am & 10:30pm
Saturday & Sunday, April 13 – 14, 10:30pm

David Perry sits down with Carole Migden, retired California State Senator and longtime force in LGBT politics in California. Perry also speaks with Phil Siegel, producer and director of the documentary film Coming Out in the 1960s.

Episode # 185
Monday — Friday, April 15 – 19, 11:30am & 10:30pm
Saturday & Sunday, April 20 – 21, 10:30pm

David Perry talks to Ken Henderson, Executive Director of The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation and discusses their annual benefit Dances From the Heart2. Perry also chats with Gary Gielow and Tom Shamp, depositors and future residents of Fountaingrove Lodge, LGBT senior living in Sonoma County.

Episode # 186
Monday — Friday, April 22 – 26 11:30am & 10:30pm
Saturday & Sunday, April 27 – 28, 10:30pm

David Perry interviews Koko Lin, board member of Asian Pacific Islander Queer Women & Transgender Community (APIQWTC). Perry also talks to “Sweet Pam” Tent, beloved local actress and original member of “The Cockettes” now featured in the new show Tinsal Tarts in a Hot Coma, produced by the Thrillpeddlers.

Episode # 187
Monday — Friday, April 29 – May 3, 11:30 am & 10:30pm
Saturday & Sunday, May 4 – 5, 10:30pm

David Perry sits down with Vanessa Coe, lead organizer of API Equality in Northern California. Perry also chats with Monica Nolan, author of “lesbian pulp novels” such as her latest, Mainwaring Lesbian Dilettante.

Ten Percent is also available 24/7 through the “On Demand” Feature through your Comcast Cable Network. Choose “Get Local” and “Comcast Hometown” to access Ten Percent. Past shows may also be viewed online at www.comcasthometown.com.

Become a fan on Facebook: 10 Percent on Facebook

About 10 Percent

Comcast Hometown Network (CHN), Comcast’s regional cable network covering Northern and Central California, continues its commitment to quality original programming with Ten Percent, a weekly interview series that focuses on lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender (LGBT) issues. The half-hour show, created and hosted by long-time San Francisco media professional David Perry, airs on Channel 104, Mondays – Thursdays at 11:30am & 8pm and is available to all Comcast digital cable customers throughout Northern and Central California. Each episode will then be available online at www.comcasthometown.com as well as on Comcast’s popular ON DEMAND platform, which is free to Comcast digital customers. To view Ten Percent ON DEMAND, Comcast Digital Cable customers can tune to Channel 1 on their Digital Cable lineup or press the ON DEMAND button on their remote control, then click on the “Get Local” section, then click on “Comcast Hometown.”

“I jokingly call the show ‘Charlie Rose for the LGBT world,” said David Perry, Producer/Host of Ten Percent. “We may be only ten percent of the general population, in round numbers, but our issues are one hundred percent front-and-center in today’s world. Whether it’s the fight for marriage equality or debates about gay clergy or the right to serve openly in uniform, our issues are reflective of the world at large.”

“David has a well-known and unique voice that bridges many communities,” said Jason Holmes, Executive Producer at Comcast Hometown Network. “David’s talents and the launch of Ten Percent further enhance Comcast’s commitment to our communities and Comcast Hometown Network’s compelling, community-based regional programming,”

AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA JERSEY DESIGN CONTEST WINNER REVEALED

Northern Californian Matt Orendorff Creates 2013 Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey

LOS ANGELES (April 2, 2013) – Martinez, California resident Matt Orendoff has been selected as the winning designer of the 2013 Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey. It was announced by Kristin Bachochin, Race Director of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California professional road cycling race and Vice President of AEG Sports, presenters of the annual international cycling event. This special and traditional jersey is awarded after each of the race’s eight stages to the professional cyclist who best exemplifies the character of those engaged in the fight against cancer – courage, sacrifice, inspiration, determination, and perseverance.

Earlier this year, AEG sponsored a design contest for the 2013 Amgen Breakaway from Cancer® Most Courageous Rider Jersey. Orendorff’s artwork prominently features the Breakaway from Cancer logo and a clean, sharp race-inspired design. It was chosen from a pool of submissions and determined by the following criteria: creativity (50 percent), use of colors and elements (25 percent), and choice of theme (25 percent). Official jersey supplier Champion System will produce this specially designed jersey, and CREATE.IT, a crowdsourced talent discovery platform, is the online promotional partner that hosted the contest.

A Chico State graduate with a bachelor’s degree in English, Orendorff began his career in publishing before transitioning into print and graphic design. He works mainly on bicycling-related jobs for local bike shops and racing clubs.

“As a lifelong cyclist, aspiring designer, and the son of a cancer survivor, I am very proud and excited that my design was chosen as the winner of the Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous jersey contest,” said Orendorff. “I hope that the professionals who wear it, the fans along the race route and anyone whose life has been touched by cancer are all inspired by my design to race harder, cheer louder and find the courage to beat cancer.”

The prize package includes a trip for Orendorff and one guest to one stage of the 2013 Amgen Tour of California, including round trip airfare, hotel accommodations, VIP Hospitality passes to the respective stage of the race, an Amgen Tour of California merchandise package, and the opportunity to meet the Most Courageous Rider winner of the stage following the awards ceremony.

“Amgen’s goal with Breakaway from Cancer is to raise awareness of the resources available for those touched by cancer – from prevention through survivorship,” said Bob Azelby, vice president and general manager, Amgen Oncology. “Amgen is committed to helping those with cancer, and the Most Courageous Rider Jersey contest is another way to reach into the community and connect with those impacted by the disease. Matt created a relevant and interesting design and we look forward to seeing which cyclists earn the jersey during the race this May.”

The 2013 Amgen Tour of California is set to cover approximately 750 miles from southern to northern California May 12 – 19, and will feature United Cycling International (UCI) Pro, Pro Continental and Continental squads. The 16 world-class teams chosen to participate in the eighth annual race will include Olympic medalists, Tour de France competitors and the reigning world champion.

Fans can purchase the Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Most Courageous Rider jersey exclusively at www.amgentourofcaliforniastore.com.

San Francisco’s Hatchery Welcomes WeblishPal.com

Start-up is division of InnoSpring of Santa Clara, California

WeblishPal.com is comprehensive platform for Chinese students in North America

media contact: Eugene Zhang / (408) 550-2818 / eugene@innospring.net

27 February 2013 — San Francisco, CA: San Francisco’s Hatchery (625 Second Street) has welcomed the first San Francisco-based start-up for InnoSpring of Santa Clara, California: WeblishPal.com.

Launched in April 2012, InnoSpring is the first Sino-U.S. incubator having successfully recruited over 40 start-ups in Silicon Valley and San Francisco. Through the efforts of ChinaSF (www.chinasf.org) InnoSpring was introduced to the Hatchery, one of the most desired co-working spaces in San Francisco’s red-hot SoMA district. The result: a joint venture for Chinese companies with the Hatchery in the tech center of San Francisco.

WeblishPal.com is an incubatee of InnoSpring’s sister incubator, InnoSpace, at KIC in Shanghai. InnoSpace is fully owned by one of InnoSpring’s shareholders and close partners – China’s Shui On Group. WeblishPal.com aims to build a comprehensive platform for Chinese students so as to better connect with North American educational institutions. The hope: to better prepare Chinese students for American classroom culture before they arrive on campus. Students can practice English with teachers in North America, virtually, in highly-targeted sessions tailored to their needs. For North American universities, it offers a solution to the difficulties in recruiting international candidates.

“The InnoSpring-Hatchey connection has been a wonderful resource for WeblishPal to get in touch with investors and founders solving the complex problems in the global education space,” said Barbara Tassa, co-founder of WeblishPal.com. “We hope to further contribute to the community here and in China as we continue to simplify the accessing of educational resources and also make it more affordable for international students.”

The recent WeblishPal.comn partnership is part of a trend according to Eugene Zhang, CEO of InnoSpring. “We’re hearing from more and more start-ups who are interested in approaching InnoSpring to seek locations at the Hatchery,” said Zhang.

InnoSpring is focused on encouraging startups to expand beyond their home countries to lead huge market opportunities in the U.S. and China. InnoSpring is a joint project between Tsinghua University Science Park (TusPark), Shui On Group (Shui On), Northern Light Venture Capital and Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). . Eugene Zhang, president of InnoSpring, has a keen eye for promising start-ups and to help them realize their dreams.