Tom LeNoble interviewed by Rob Lawless for “The 10 K Friends Project”

Thanks to Rob Lawless for including Tom LeNoble in his visionary “10 K Friends” Project. Read the interview highlights below and follow Rob on Instagram @robs10kfriends and Tom @lenoble.tom

“We had no hot water and no refrigerator. My father brought home a block of ice every day to put in the icebox. He used to heat our bath water on a kerosene stove, which I can smell right now. And there was a pecking order because there was only so much water, and I was the baby so you can imagine where I was, except on my birthday I got to be first.”

Tom LeNoble had an incredible career that spanned leading customer service at MCI and Walmart.com to being employee #57 at @facebook to being VP of HR of a dating site acquired by @match (amongst many other accomplishments). However, evidenced by his book, “My Life in Business Suits, Hospital Gowns, and High Heels,” he’s much more than his titles.

From humble beginnings in Jacksonville Beach, Tom found authenticity in performing at the gay bars in college. Yet, wanting more for his life, he managed the lab of a psychiatric hospital and worked at MCI part-time, setting him down his corporate path.

Throughout his career, though, he navigated the loss of his older brother to AIDS (Tom was 29, his brother was 35) and battled his own serious illnesses. “I’ve been given 6 months to live 3 times…First time was from AIDS, the second time was from AIDS, the third time was from cancer.”

With an unfaltering sense of resilience, though, Tom’s always pressed on – falling in love, traveling the world, hosting his Open Pathways podcast, running @acecoachtraining and giving back to causes like youth in the arts, first-gen students and women in need.

As Tom puts it, “I retired being retired to be inspired.” And now, not only is he feeling uplifted by his endeavors; by sharing his story Tom’s teaching others an important lesson!

“Who we are today is the sum parts of who we’ve been in our life. And some of those parts we may feel shame, they were outrageous, they’re private or just people wouldn’t understand, right? But you would not be who you are today without all those parts.” Great hanging with you, @lenoble.tom!

San Francisco’s Pink Triangle Memorial

14 years before the first Rainbow Honor Walk plaque went into the sidewalks of San Francisco’s Castro District, a dedicated group of community members, including RHW founding member Gustavo Serrina, established The Pink Triangle Memorial: the first historical landmark in the USA remembering LGBT victims persecuted in Fascist Europe between 1933-1945. Today I took a stroll through. Thank you to all the volunteers who maintain the site, including its wonderful flowering garden.
— David Eugene Perry

Happy Birthday Barbara Jordan

Today on the anniversary of her birth, we celebrate the life and legacy of Rainbow Honor Walk honoree Barbara Jordan (February 21, 1936 – January 17, 1996). A groundbreaking congresswoman, constitutional scholar, and powerful voice for civil rights, Jordan became the first Black woman from the South elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Known for her historic role during the Watergate hearings and her unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the rule of law, she also stands as an important figure in LGBTQ+ history — a woman who lived authentically and whose legacy continues to inspire generations fighting for dignity, representation, and democracy.

#RainbowHonorWalk #BarbaraJordan #LGBTQHistory #BlackHistory #CivilRights

media contact: David Perry / (415) 676-7007  news@davidperry.com

Capricorn Framing Celebrates 20 Years of Craftsmanship,
Community and Conservation Framing in San Francisco
Co-owners Lloyd Haddad and Keith Wicker mark two decades of preservation-focused design, philanthropy, and expansion

19 February 2026 — SAN FRANCISCO: According to Edgar Degas, “The frame is part of the painting.”  Lloyd Haddad and Keith Wicker would agree. Capricorn Framing (www.capricornframing.com), the San Francisco-based custom framing studio they founded, is celebrating its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of craftsmanship, innovation, and community engagement that have helped shape the Bay Area’s design and arts landscape.

“Twenty years ago, Capricorn Framing began with a simple idea: treat every piece — whether it’s a priceless artwork or a family photograph — with the same level of care and respect,” said Haddad and Wicker, who are both partners in life and labor.  “Over time, that philosophy grew into a business built on preservation, collaboration, and community. We’re proud that our work supports artists, designers, and nonprofits throughout San Francisco, and we’re deeply grateful to the clients and partners who have trusted us with their most meaningful objects. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re excited to continue evolving while staying true to the values that brought us here.”

Founded in 2006 with a commitment to archival-quality framing and expert design consultation, Capricorn Framing has grown from a single workshop into a respected industry leader known for preservation framing and bespoke solutions for collectors, designers, and nonprofits alike. The business expanded significantly in recent years with the acquisition of Walter Adams Framing, strengthening the partners’ ability to serve clients across multiple neighborhoods while maintaining a deeply personal, service-driven approach.

Over the past two decades, Haddad and Wicker have championed conservation framing — a discipline focused on protecting artwork, documents, and heirlooms for generations — helping to shift industry standards toward long-term preservation. Early in their careers, the pair saw firsthand how improper framing damaged artwork, motivating them to build a business grounded in the principle of “doing it right the first time.”

Today, Capricorn Framing works closely with interior designers, collectors, and families throughout the region, offering custom framing solutions that blend aesthetics with technical expertise. Their background in engineering, aviation, and design has contributed to a reputation for solving complex installation challenges and delivering tailored results that tell a story. 

A Commitment to Community:

Beyond craftsmanship, Capricorn Framing has built a strong legacy of philanthropy and civic engagement. Through both Capricorn Framing and Walter Adams Framing, Haddad and Wicker regularly donate framing services and resources to arts organizations, schools, and charitable initiatives — including Art for AIDS, Southern Exposure, The Denali Foundation, and Creativity Explored — reinforcing their belief that art should remain accessible and preserved within the community.

Their work reflects a broader mission: to educate the public about proper preservation and archival care while supporting the cultural fabric of San Francisco through partnerships with artists, designers, and nonprofit organizations.  Wicker, a former military helicopter pilot, has made a commitment to fellow veterans a centerpiece of their “giving back” efforts.

“From conservation framing techniques and archival materials to innovative design collaborations, Capricorn Framing remains dedicated to helping clients preserve the stories behind their art — ensuring that the pieces framed today will endure for decades to come,” summed up Haddad and Wicker.  “All of our work is done with conservation and/or archival materials and methods, unless the client specifies otherwise. We believe that framing is an art unto itself.”

Perhaps Vincent van Gogh said it best: “A picture without a frame is like a soul without a body.”