April 8, 2008

News Briefs

Blendz hosts blood drive

Although this was the second blood drive hosted by Blendz on Feb. 29, it was the first time the franchise joined forces with another franchise concept Athletic Nation–a men’s personal training gym. The idea to cross-promote this event came as a natural fit since both businesses promote overall health in respect to physical fitness and healthier eating choices. Over 50 pints of blood were collected.

Campbell City Council Member Jane Kennedy gives blood.

For the convenience of the local business and neighborhood, a blood mobile was arranged to be parked at the heart of the downtown communities. Local city council members, police officers, employees of Blendz and Athletic Nation and professional mixed-martial arts fighters such as Josh “the Punk” Thomson were more than willing to make a blood donation and help save lives in the process.

Craig Hough, a field supervisor for the Blood Centers of the Pacific says “These events truly save lives. We would love to look at another event like this sometime this year. The day was great and the weather was perfect. This is a very challenging time for the region and these types of events can truly impact lives. We thank Blendz and Athletic Nation again for their help and support.”

“I am thrilled that the community has leaped at the opportunity to be a part of this event. At one point we had to turn away potential donors because our time slots were full. It is refreshing to know how selfless people are, to give a part of themselves for the benefit of others. I believe we can double our donations at our next blood drive in August!” said director of Franchise Events and Marketing, Mona Liza Reyes.

For Your Eyes Only

The Women’s Council of Realtors [WCR] Santa Clara Branch announced their 19th annual Fashion Show. This year’s James Bond 007 themed show has the License to Thrill and will have Joe Brown, president of Coldwell Banker, as the master of ceremonies as well as a major sponsor for the event. For an extra twist, the WCR will raffle off a two-year lease on a C-Class Mercedes with maintenance included. Raffle tickets are $20 each or $100 for six.

“The WCR is unequaled in the areas of leadership development and networking opportunities for its members,” said Colleen Badagliacco, broker, RE/MAX Valley Properties, 20-year WCR member and 2007 president of the California Association of Realtors. “Their level of community involvement, of which this fashion show is an example, is icing on the cake.”

The event typically draws over 400 people and sells out. Individual reservations can be purchased for $65, a table of 10 is $600, and three or more tables can be purchased for $500 each. Sponsorships are available with advertising benefits before and during the fashion show.

The show will take place on Thursday, May 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel at 2050 Gateway Place in San Jose. An hour of networking, silent auction and sponsor table exhibits will be followed by a luncheon, fashion show and the Mercedes lease raffle grand finale.

To purchase tables, tickets and sponsorships, contact registration and sponsor coordinator Angela Tsun at (650) 906-8429 or angela_tsun@addisonavenue.com or fashion show chair Lucy McGuire at (408) 309-1658 or lucy@mcguirefunding.com. To purchase raffle tickets for the Mercedes two-year lease, contact Janice Levine at (408) 795-1480 or janicell@msn.com or Patricia Hairston at (408) 918-4464 or pat.hairston@comcast.net.

Blendz launches expansion in San Jose area with business opportunity seminar

Blendz, recently voted the Business of the Year by the Campbell Chamber of Commerce is continuing its expansion with a Business Opportunity Seminar to be held at the Larkspur Landing Hotel in Campbell on Thursday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. With five locations already operating in the San Jose area and a sixth opening soon, the San Jose market is primed to become the fastest growing market for Blendz in the United States.

An international restaurant chain with stores under development across both the United States and the globe, Blendz provides customers with a healthy alternative to typical fast food fare with a variety of all natural smoothies, grilled panini sandwiches, tossed-to-order salads and gourmet soups that are made with the highest quality ingredients.

Blendz also offers box lunches for corporate catering, as well as trays of panini, salads and fruit for home or office parties.

Company founder, Matt Phipps opened his first Blendz in Campbell in early July 2003. The public welcomed the new restaurant and in the next two years four more Blendz locations were opened in Silicon Valley including the first of its kind restaurant inside a flagship BMW auto dealership.

“We provide our franchise owners with everything they need to succeed—from site selection assistance to marketing support and ongoing franchise service,” said Phipps.

To reserve a seat at the Business Opportunity Seminar call Scott V. Mortier, vice president of Franchise Development, at (312) 285-7111 or e-mail at scott@blendz.com. For more information about Blendz, visit www.blendz.com.

AlaVie Hosts First Annual Fitness Day

To advance its mission of helping people live happier, healthier and in balance, AlaVie Fitness, formerly Bay Area Boot Camp, is hosting a free fitness day at John D. Morgan Park in Campbell on Saturday, April 12.

“Our goal is to make a real contribution to the health of people in our community,” said AlaVie Fitness Co-Founder Mary Beth Gonzales.

After pioneering the boot camp exercise model in San Francisco in 2004, Bay Area Boot Camp expanded its vision and service offerings and re-launched as AlaVie Fitness on March 3.

Gonzales and co-founder Heather Glenn realized over time that fitness is just one piece in the much larger puzzle of people’s overall health and wellness. “And we wanted to do something about that,” she said.

In addition to complimentary women’s, coed and children’s boot camp workouts, AlaVie’s fitness day at John D. Morgan Park will bring in many of the organization’s favorite health and wellness partners.

“AlaVie is still committed to giving people the best boot camp workout around,” Gonzales said, “But we also want people to understand how what they put in their bodies affects their health. We want them to think about their activity levels outside of working out. We want to help them stay driven to exercise, to learn how to balance their desire to take care of themselves with their daily obligations.”

AlaVie will host its First Annual Fitness Day at John D. Morgan Park in Campbell on Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, call (415) 567-7411 or e-mail info@alaviefitness.com.

The Human Race

On Saturday, May 10 the Volunteer Center of Silicon Valley is hosting the 15th Annual Human Race of Silicon Valley at Charleston Park / Shoreline in Mountain View.

Activities include a USA Track and Field [USATF] sanctioned and certified 10K/5K Runs, 5K Walk and 5K Dog Walk. This annual event provides all participants the opportunity to raise money for any community based non-profit organization 501(c)3 or school program of their choice.

The race is scheduled Saturday, May 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Charleston Park/Shoreline, 1450 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View. Check-in and registration starts at 7 a.m. At 8:30 a.m. the 10K and 5K USATF sanctioned and certified run start time begins. At 8:45 a.m. the 5K pledge walk and separate dog walk starts. An awards ceremony and community festival follows the runs.

Visit the Human Race Website www.vcsv.us/humanrace for more information.

Junkyard Day will benefit Campbell Historical Museum and Ainsley House

Join in for the second Junkyard Day, a fundraising-recycling event benefiting the Campbell Historical Museum and Ainsley House. This is your chance to get rid of your old junk. Load up a vehicle with recyclable items and drop them off at the Campbell City Hall parking lot, Saturday, May 10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Items okay to recycle are computers, monitors, TV's, radios, fax machines, stereos and components, telephones, DVD/VCR, toasters, microwaves, washers and dryers, copper wire, brass, steel, aluminum, boxes, bottles, cans and more. Call (408) 866-2718 if you have questions about what can be recycled.

Fight against cancer

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is the largest annual not-for-profit fundraising event in the world. It is an overnight team event that raises awareness of cancer in the community and as well as funds to fight cancer. Throughout the 24-hour Relay For Life, teams of friends, family and co-workers commit to keeping at least one member walking on the track...because cancer never sleeps. It will take place in Campbell on July 12-13 at the Campbell Community Center.

To participate, recruit friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to join in a Relay team.

If you’re interested in learning more about the ACS Campbell Relay For Life or if you would like to become a Relay Sponsor, and have your company's logo placed on the participants t-shirts, visit the Campbell Relay For Life Web site at http://events.cancer.org/rflCAMPBELLca, e-mail online chair Kim Carney at kim.carney@woz.org or attend the team captain's meeting for more information.

Upcoming Relay For Life team meetings are scheduled on Thursdays at 7 p.m. on April 17, May 15 and June 19 at Santa Clara County Unit, 747 Camden Ave., Suite B in Campbell.

Keep Campbell clean

On Saturday, April 12, volunteers will meet at Los Gatos County Creek Park for Campbell’s sixth Community Litter Removal in honor of Earth Day.

Cleanup will focus on four locations in Campbell; the Los Gatos County Creek Park, Trail, Caltrans on and off ramps in Campbell and the railroad tracks along Winchester Boulevard from Hacienda to the STEX over crossing.

Rain or shine, volunteers will be asked to meet at the park at 8 a.m., when they will sign in and divide into groups. An agenda, instructions on safety and debris removal will be discussed. Gloves, vests and other tools will be distributed. Volunteers are encouraged to dress appropriately. Refreshments will be provided in the morning and the event will conclude with a lunch at noon.

The city is seeking donations and asks sponsors to join Whole Foods, Starbucks and other local merchants in sponsoring the city in this countywide event.

To register or learn more about the event, please call Diana Johnson at (408) 866-2749, or visit the city’s Web site at www.cityofcampbell.com.

Rotary honors Jerry Scott

The Campbell, San Jose West Rotary Club recently recognized long-time member Jerry Scott for his 40-year service as a probate referee serving the state of California. His is the longest tenure of the 135 probate referees currently serving California.

A 39- year member of Rotary, Scott was appointed by Gov. Ronald Reagan to a task force looking into the state’s role in inheritance tax appraising in 1967. Captivated by the work, Scott applied for the job as a tax appraiser, passed the tests and the rest is history.

After 40 years Scott says he still finds the work “fascinating and challenging.”