Day 4: Course Completion, Bay Cruise, & Slide, Inc.

Hello everyone… today was my last full day in San Francisco.

Fundraising School
Fundraising School was a blast! I met great people and learned A LOT. I will not be able to go and start a planned giving program from scratch BUT I don’t have to…one already exists at my institution. With a little more reading I will feel even more confident. The instructors were great, they kept the class interesting and held my attention 97% of the time without even thinking of being sleepy. Today I received my certificate, which will be framed when I get home. Not only was the class great but I met some great people too.

Site Seeing 101
Well if you haven’t noticed from my previous blogs I have been trying to get in as many “activities” daily as possible after classes, and today was no exception. I am one who can get a lot done in a short amount of time and feel accomplished. As soon as I was handed my certificate of completion from the course I shook one of my instructor’s hands and ran to the Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise the last one of the day, and the last one that I would have been able to even try to get on. I hopped right in line and I am sooo glad I made it. It was a 90 minute tour that wasn’t too crowded. I met a nice lady from Costa Rica who insisted her cousin translate to tell me things. They were so sweet… we went toured the Bay… saw both bridges and went under the Golden Gate bridge, which I might add is ORANGE…even San Francisco sports the Clemson Spirit! (That is for you Newell). .. the tour also sailed close to Alcatraz. After finishing with the tour I walked around Pier 39 for souvenirs and just looking.

When I returned to my room I called Adora to see if she wanted to still have dinner and so I can take a picture of her AT WORK. She is so awesome! I will certainly be back to visit her! We went to the Thirsty Bear Brewery a few blocks from her job. We had a fabulous talk about the minority experience at Clemson.
She then took me back to Slide, Inc. to show me around their office. It was soooo cool to see a start up business that is so well known in action.

Tomorrow…
I will probably write the day after tomorrow and if not the weekend. I hope to get up early enough to ride the cable cars (which I have not done) and possibly walk to Ghirardelli Square but we will have to see. To all my classmates, instructors, and random people I met on this trip it was a pleasure meeting you . To my baby… I miss & love you too!!! Until next time…

Today's Pictures...
The Overachievers...lol

Today's Lunch at Neptune....

Alcatraz a little closer

The Golden Gate Bride up close and personal

Adora posing with the Slide Sign... because I asked her to :)

Vote for THE TIGER for the cover of NCAA Football '09 for the Wii

EA Sports is going to put a mascot on the cover of NCAA Football '09 for the Wii. They are letting the fans vote. Let's see if Tigernet can do any damage and maybe get the Tiger on the front. Let's get Clemson on the cover!

Here's the website to vote. You can vote once per day until March 14.

Click Here to Vote !

Day 3: Fundrasing School, Lucus Films, Aquarium, Union Square, & Top of the Mark

Again up at 7/8AM EST… so I get up working… emailing and doing a little research… sad I know. Nevertheless, today in fundraising school I learned more tax law. I could contribute on a knowledgeable basis because our last topic covered before lunch was, endowments, which is something I have asked enough questions about & could even share my library endowment page.

Then off to catch a cab to visit two Clemson Alumni here in California that work for Lucas Films, James & Chris (hence the picture in front of the Yoda fountain).
Hopefully you will see this picture in the Clemson World and or on the Alumni Page. They were AWESOME hospitalble, cool, wonderful, hosts, and I took me to see a lot of very cool things on the LucasFilms Presidio campus. (Sorry my adoring readers, I couldn’t take pictures in the facility). It was a very unique experience that I felt honored and previledged to be shown. Of course they could not let me see things that are in current production but it was just awesome. I am going to have to watch some movies again to see some of the stuff I got to see. I cannot express what wonderful hosts James and Chris were. They help to serve as proof to the value of a great Clemson education and networking. I truly believe that they would be great mentors for students in our Computer Science and Digital Programs. I caught the bus back to the hotel and was then off to my next adventure.

In order to save money I had purchased a City Pass which I would highly recommend to people visiting the city. It is good for 7 consecutive days. It had a 7day muni/cable car passport, one cruise on the blue & gold fleet, one general admission to the Aquarium of the Bay, one general admission to deYoung Museum/Legion of Honor, Exploratorium, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Asian Art museum PLUS a number of discounts. The hotel is in walking distance for a lot of these attractions.
Since I have been and will be in class for most of my stay I will not get to enjoy most of the attractions, but nevertheless if I need to get anywhere it is a GREAT deal. Today, as you can see form pictures... I toured the aquarium.

In the evening we(Newell, Courtney, Denise & I) caught a cab to Union Square and dined at Daily Grill San Francisco. We had a fabulous time (sorry there aren’t a lot of pictures from the evening). After he Grill we went on a hunt for a place to have a drink… first stop really nice hotel… but spooky 70s atmosphere and very few patrons… then Courtney recalled going to Top of the Mark on a pervious visit. .. so then we were off… now little did we realize we were on a 4 block 45 to 50 degree walk which was hilarious all by itself (man am I terribly out of shape). By the time we go to the Mark we had to take a break out front so that we would not be out of breath when we entered…however when we sat down at our seats the view of the nighttime city was absolutely beautiful (which we all recognized between our pants of air…lol) … Denise and I called it a night after that and took a taxi ride home… while Newell and Courtney are still exploring San Francisco as we speak.

I must let Kris & Ed know that we love and miss you (Kris, my boyfriend and Ed, Denise’s husband). We are having a spectacular time and cannot wait to see you. To my parents … I love you, miss you and thank you for raising me to be the lady I am today! To my sister, yes you… Love and miss you too… Friends and other family hope to hear from you soon… leave a message on the blog to let me know you stopped by.

PS To C... L may have been on to something :) hehehehehehe

Today's Shots of the Day...
Self Portrait on Pier 39


Saks Fifth Avenue Union Square... can you believe I didn't shop AT ALL
The ENTRANCE to Top of the Mark

Day 2: Fundrasing School, Pier 39, & Chinatown

The day started with a 8:00 registration for the fundraising school. We had a continental breakfast which was all the food they were/are providing. I learned alot today about tax and planned giving terminology, learned good things to share with my ambassadors and others interested in planned giving for the library. I learned a simple way to help discover a number of potentially unknown planned gifts, and much more. Honestly I am learning alot in this class and the instructors are awesome. I truthfully wasn't sleepy at all during the session. During Day 1 at my table was Courtney(Texas), Denise(Colorado), Leslie (San Luis Obispo, CA), & John (CA).

For our lunch break Courtney, Denise, Newell (IN), and I went to Swiss Louis Italian & Seafood Restaurant on Pier 39. It was good however our server was having serious issues separating our checks (bless her heart). You can see some of the pictures from our view at lunchtime of Alcatraz, seals, and the city...

Okay and so no nap, but hey... I called more Clemson Alumni...got to talk to a really nice mother and left a few messages... we will see what happens.

For dinner Denise suggested that we go to Chinatown... so we talked with the concierge, got ideas and were on our way. We first said we were going to take a taxi but it was so nice out that we simply walked. We had a glass of wine at IDEALe Ristorante Bar. Then were off to Chinatown to enjoy dinner at House of Nanking. At House of Nanking the waiter asked if it was our first time dining and when we responded no (however it was Denise's 2nd time) he took our menus and said... trust me... and walked off (which Denise warned us he would do). It was great we had a little of a lot of things and we enjoyed them thoroughly. Well that was it for day 2... come back tomorrow for Day 3...

Pictures below are taken from today...







Here is Coit Tower which I thought it only appropriate to include since I am here at a planned giving conference...The following is from http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/casfmenu/a/coittower.htm

Built to fulfill the bequest of Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who left funds to be used to beautify the city she loved, Coit Tower is an icon on the San Francisco skyline, a simple tower crowning Telegraph Hill overlooking the San Francisco waterfront.
Coit Tower visitors come here mostly for the views: sweeping waterfront vistas from the parking lot and observation deck, and for cityscapes best seen from the small park behind the tower.

Not to be missed are the murals decorating the lobby, considered to be one of California's best examples of depression-era public art. Part of a Public Works of Art Project, they were painted in 1934 by 25 artists. Done in Diego Rivera's social realism style, they are sympathetic portrayals of the daily life of working class Californians during the depression.

Because some people felt the murals were subversive and depicted "Communist" themes, the authorities delayed the opening of Coit Tower for several months. Already outraged by the shooting deaths of two strikers during the Longshoremen's Strike of 1934, the working community was upset even further by this delay, adding to the general distrust of authority.

The lobby murals continue behind a door next to the gift shop, up the stairs and around the second floor. This area is closed to the general public, except during free guided Coit Tower tours given by City Guides.

You'll often hear tour guides and others claiming that Coit Tower is supposed to look like the nozzle of a fire hose, but designers Arthur Brown Jr. and Henry Howard always denied it, and in fact, it looks more like the towers at London's Battersea Power Station, completed one year earlier.

Despite the fact that Coit Tower has an elevator, it is not wheelchair accessible because of the steps at its base and a short staircase between the elevator landing and the observation level.

Day 1: San Francisco: United Airlines, Fisherman's Wharf, Adora, & Alioto's

Hi Everyone! I have arrived safely in San Francisco. I am staying in Fisherman’s Wharf. I have been told by many locals that I have been placed in a high tourist area... and I need to venture out.

I must say, I slept 90% of the flight from CTL to SFO which is a good thing because I only got a “Snack Mix” and two juices the entire flight. I typically pack snacks… what is WRONG with me? Lolol… Nevertheless, I was starving when I got here and
since I am in a tourist spot…I walked out the door of my hotel and in less than a block I was stopping at Johnny Rockets…lol… I know...not branching out too much… but hey… we don’t have them at home :) After sleeping off my hunger headache I contacted my friend Adora, who is an absolute gem. She came got me out of the hotel room and treated me to dinner at Alioto’s where the food was delish. Before I leave I will have to add a picture of me and Adora on her job. For most of you facebook, myspacers, you will appreciate
that she works at SLIDE. Tomorrow is the first day of my conference…after class (and probably a nap) I will be trying to touch bases with more Clemson “folks”… Until tomorrow.

ATTENTION: High School Jr & Sr : Feb 29th Deadline

Do you have what it takes to be a Bank of America Student Leader?

If you are a junior or senior in high school with a passion for improving your community, we would like to help you turn that passion into action.

As a Student Leader, you will participate in:

An eight-week paid internship at a nonprofit/charitable organization
A week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, DC (July 13th - 18th, 2008) to gain valuable civic, social and business leadership skills
We are looking for the next generation of community leaders. If you want to make a difference in your community, apply today.

For More Information click on this website:

www.bankofamerica.com/neistudentleaders

CALL ME MISTER Documentary to air on South Carolina ETV

I know I have not written in my blog in a few weeks, however I will catch up shortly. I will be traveling next week and hopefully able to post things as time progresses...

TODAYS FEATURE..

Today's feature is close to my heart because I was the first graduate assistant for the CALL ME MISTER PROGRAM...and to see how far it has come and where it is going is a great thing...

Tomorrow : Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 9:30 p.m.

The Call Me MISTER program will be the subject of a documentary featuring several of its graduates to be aired Thursday, February 28th at 9:30 p.m. on the South Carolina ETV public broadcasting network.

The 30-minute documentary was produced, directed and narrated by Aretta Jenkins, founder of CornBread Chronicles, LLC. Jenkins, a Clemson University graduate and upstate oral historian tells the Call Me MISTER story by connecting the family and community roots of several graduates with their motivation to become successful teachers. Hayward Jean, Damon Qualls, Zebulun Dinkins and Justin Ballenger all have a powerful story to tell about survival, perseverance, inspiration and hope in the future. Jenkins states, “the context of their lives and their ability to transcend their sociological circumstances is both their motivation and secret for personal development and success.” Each of these young men can identify “key family members and mentors, who have protected and enriched their lives” stated Jenkins.
Dr. Roy Jones, Executive Director of the Clemson based Call Me MISTER program, agrees stating, “the nuclear and extended family, as well as the surrounding community is a significant reality in the lives of MISTERs and their potential effectiveness as teacher-leader advocates for education.”

The purpose of the Call Me MISTER (acronym for Mentors Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) initiative is to increase the pool of available teachers from a broader, more diverse background particularly among the State’s lowest performing elementary schools.

For More Information contact:
Aretta Jenkins: Telephone: 866-231-1264; email: 8662311264@gosolo.com or
Roy Jones: Telephone: 800-640-2657; email: royj@clemson.edu

Kayla Shadowing...

The day before yesterday my cousin Kayla shadowed me. Wow…that makes me feel older… I remember shadowing people when I was around her age. Nonetheless, I took her to Special Collections where she learned about a time when people thought it was a good idea to plant cudzu, some rare things that Clemson Libraries, and other things.
She also toured the Architecture Library and got to see some of the models that the students had done of the Anderson downtown. After turning Special Collections, the Architecture Library, and Cooper Library… some of the places for which I raise money…we then went to lunch at the Hendrix Center where believe it or not she found something she would actually eat for lunch… After lunch
we then went over to Development where she could see the stewarding and researching process of development… she helped me get that office a little more organized for potential donors. Thanks Kayla!