The Valley Line: A close look at the Facebook campus; LCFTRA’s 31st annual Bingo Barbecue
A couple of weekend’s ago I slipped away to visit daughter Heather and her children, Catherine and Ryan.
Catherine and Ryan were both in a play called “The David Show” at their church. The play was adorably clever and it gave each child a moment in the spotlight. I was a very proud “YaYa” (their name for me) after their performance.
While I was in Palo Alto, Heather, who is a consultant, wanted to show me the Facebook business campus nearby in Menlo Park. Facebook is one of her clients.
It is truly a unique place in the business world and I was quite agog as we wandered the campus. Lunch time is amazing as Facebook employees, many being visited by spouses and children, choose to dine in at least five different restaurants offering global cuisine such as Japanese, Mexican, ribs and barbecue, and even a traditional hamburger diner. Some want to dine in the “cafeteria,” which is unlike any other I’ve seen. If you are into juices, they have a chef that just concocts natural juices to taste like the nectar of the Gods — a true mixologist if I’ve ever seen one.
And after one has made basic lunch choices one can go to the “Sweet Stop” for ice cream cones, cupcakes and other treats. There are hammocks for workers to lounge in, and fire pits to gather around. I saw one employee obedience training his Lab puppy in the main plaza known as “Hacker Square.” Yes, the adorable pup comes to work with him.
After lunchtime was over, the square become vacant as employees disappeared into the many buildings to continue their day’s work.
Employees borrow company bicycles to go from one building to another. It was fun to watch the riders go cruising across the square and turning a corner with a ting-a-ling of the bike’s bell. If the bicycle has a flat tire, it can be fixed as there is a repair shop right off Hacker Square. Heather pointed out that an employee can drop off their dry cleaning right on campus, making one of life’s little errands much easier. If at the end of the day one wanted to meet a colleague for a “cool one” and some conversation, there are beer and margarita bars tucked away on campus — one is never far away from a watering hole. Basically, Facebook is like a little city — a very intriguing one!
What a treat it was to see the Facebook campus up close and personal. Needless to say, I now have great inspiration for getting my Facebook profile page up to snuff!
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According to Bill Pounders, president of the La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Assn., thanks to all their supporters, the LCFTRA’s 31st annual Bingo Barbecue fundraiser was “a huge success.”
Nearly 85 happy partygoers gathered at the La Cañada Thursday Club’s clubhouse. Cowboy hats and boots were announced in the fashion memo for the evening. There were even some rhinestone cowgirls sparkling their way through the crowd.
The clubhouse patio was certainly a lovely place to sip a beverage and chat. Dining tables set in the main room of the clubhouse were covered with red and white-checkered cloths centered by live green plants donated by Nuccio Nursery.
Tyler Wright was the hilarious emcee as he introduced the main players of the evening. Bingo callers included Chuck Terhune, Caroline Craven, Mike Leininger, Bob Craven, Pat Hutchins, Clyde Hemphill, Dave Moffett and Pam Wiedenbeck.
There were eight games of Bingo called with two prizes each. But those weren’t the only prettily wrapped prizes given out because there were lots of opportunity and door prizes to win.
Los Gringos Locos catered a delicious buffet dinner of savory barbecue meats, green beans and salad. Besides Los Gringos, Ralphs Fresh Fare Market, Gelson’s Market, Cakery Bakery donated much support. The White Whale Room children at the Child Educational Center baked and decorated cookies for the event.
Dena Hardin chaired this much beloved community event. Committee members assisting her were Ann Neilson, Sheryll Bagga, Holly Marry and Pam Wiedenbeck.
Among those attending this fun evening that raises money so our float can cruise down Colorado Boulevard next New Year’s Day were Larry Andreason, Eremita Miranda, Anne Hills, Sue Beatty, Art Johnson, Rex and Margaret Quinn, Don and Rose Manning, Lee Johnson, Bill and Brett Pounders; Claire, Cindy and Bill Slaughter; Phyllis Manley, Dave Moffett, David Granis, Julia Cameron, Nancy and Julie Thurston, Dian and John Landrum, Lorie Mackenzie, Sharlyn French, Bobbie and Clyde Hamphill, Nancy and Mike Leininger; Harriett, Chuck and Elsie Hughes, Louise and Michael Davies, Tom Nuccio, Garth and Vera Gragg, Bob Neilson, Otis Hutchins, Betty Jones, Jim Geoghegan, Liz Craven, Malak Peterman, Gilda and Ray Coussa, William Imbriale, Adene and Jim Misamore, Penelope and Al Anton, Jean Kay, Cara Green, Mary and Daryal Gant, Kay Payer, Beverly Holt, Peggy Hotaling, Gloria Winkley, Ted Davis, Nancy Weinman, Andy and Steve Spence, Tony Riewe, Charlotte Lyland, Patty and Ross Newton, and Barbie Eland.
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JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@yahoo.com with news of your special event.