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If money was no object, what would you do all day?

Travel with friends, definitely. Play lots of volleyball, visit lots of beaches, eat and learn to cook amazing food. Find lots of fluffy animals to pet.

What is your favorite family recipe?

Braised pork belly with caramelized eggs is a go-to comfort food for sure. My mom is a master of broths so I’m slowly learning how to recreate her recipes.

What was your favorite subject in school?

Social sciences. My 7th grade history teacher would take our class on time-traveling adventures. I remember being genuinely thrilled to go to school on those days.

What is your ideal way to spend your weekends?

A sunny day on the beach…maybe with a few cocktails. Board games, movies, snacks and lots of laughter with friends until your sides hurt.

If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have?

Teleportation, 1000%. Imagine no more traffic, Ubers, or TSA for the rest of your life. Heaven. Also eco-friendly.

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11/12 - Jen Blum

11/17 - Devon Casanare

11/17 - Lena Wright

11/25 - Andrea Paz Frost

11/30 - Maria del Rosario

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If money was no object, what would you do all day

Travel everywhere and eat really good food :)

What is your favorite family recipe?

My mom makes the best chicken Tinga that I have yet to be able recreate just like hers.

What was your favorite subject in school?

Reading! We would have a district wide competition between elementary schools for most books read that was combined with pajama day and it was my favorite day of the school year!

What is your ideal way to spend your weekends?

Trying new coffee shops and spending time with my family/friends. It's even better when I get to do both at the same time!

If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have?

Teleportation, I would save so much time and money on travel!

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What is your Favorite Thanksgiving Dish?

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Something Else (I'll list it in the comments :D) 

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Open Enrollment Benefits Fairs will be:

November 2: 11am - 2pm at Tressider Oak Lounge

November 3: 10am - 11am - Remote Session

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Choosing a medical plan is an important decision, and your choice lasts the entire year. Check out the available tools and resources on Cardinal at Work to help you decide which plan is best for you. Also, learn where you can go for care depending on your medical needs, so you can save time and money.

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November is Native American Heritage Month

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November is Native American Heritage Month

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Learn more here!

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Sophia Stoughton - 2 Years

Danielle Hoffman - 3 Years

Becky Showen - 13 Years

Anne Pedicord - 24 Years

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Remember to shout-out your fellow colleagues for the hard work they do everyday.

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Remember to shout-out your fellow colleagues for the hard work they do everyday.

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Please feel free to comment below this post, or add your own separate shout-out post by clicking the plus symbol on the lower right corner.

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Join the #Recipe-Swap Channel in Slack! 

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Join the #Recipe-Swap Channel in Slack! 

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Linked Here

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33 Things to Do in the Bay Area in November! 

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33 Things to Do in the Bay Area in November! 

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November in the San Francisco Bay Area is an enchanting mix of late fall cheer and early holiday anticipation. Now's the time to enjoy delicious fall coffee drinks, ice skating, get a head start on your holiday gift shopping, and find opening dates for the best winter light displays. Read on for our best tips to spend a memorable November 2023 in SF.

If you're looking for more inspiration, be sure to check out our favorite free things to do in the Bay, things to do in SF at least once, and things to do in SF with kids.

The extremely popular concert series known simply as Candlelight is turning heads right now in San Francisco! You'll enjoy works from Beethoven, Vivaldi and more played by a talented string quartet in an intimate environment surrounded by hundreds of luminous candles.

2. These are the coolest SF museum exhibitions to see this November

Many of SF's temporary museum exhibitions are refreshed and replaced every single month. We're keeping tabs on the best new temporary exhibitions from SFMOMA to the Asian Art Museum, so you'll never miss an amazing new display. Here's what we have our eye on for November in San Francisco.

3. Free concerts at Golden Gate Park Bandshell
Through Nov. 12, 2023
The Lift Every Voice series is bringing dozens of free concerts to Golden Gate Park. All performances are free and family-friendly, with the impressive Golden Gate Bandshell as the backdrop. The Bandshell, which is 120 years old, added new lighting, a state-of-the-art sound system, and a new stage during the pandemic. This may be your last chance to enjoy the free concerts for a long while, because the Bandshell will close on November 15 for structural renovations with a re-opening date TBD in 2024.

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday celebrated widely both within Mexico and in other countries by people with Mexican heritage. At the beginning of November, San Francisco will celebrate with multiple events, processions, and activities to honor this special holiday.

Nov. 1 - Día de los Muertos with Sunset Mercantile

Nov. 2 - Festival of Altars in Potrero del Sol Park

Nov. 2 - 42nd annual Day of the Dead ritual procession

And more

Festive Bay Area ice skating rinks can be found in all nine local counties from San Francisco to Sonoma. We found a mix of seasonal and permanent rinks that offer the chance to strap on a pair of skates and hit the ice.
Nov. 4, 11
Oscar Wilde could resist "everything except temptation," and Dining in the Dark in San Francisco invites you to fight the temptation to eat your food with your eyes and instead tempt your taste buds and other senses to enjoy an elevated meal. The entire evening will be shrouded in mystery down to the very last flavorful bite and difficult to identify texture.

7. Embark on the most unique picnic experience in the Mission and Haight-Ashbury

AmazingCo plans the most unique picnics where you'll solve clues, pick up artisanal treats, discover hidden neighborhood gems along the way, and finally make it to your destination for a dreamy picnic experience. Whether you're with a group of friends, your family, or a significant other, it's definitely not your ordinary picnic.

There are destination options both in and near San Francisco, including Haight-Ashbury/The Mission, Sausalito, and Half Moon Bay.
Through Nov. 19, 2023
SF Open Studios gives the public a rare opportunity to visit over 400 local artists in their personal studios. The annual event started in 1975 as a way for local artists to increase the accessibility of their work by collectively opening their studios to the public. The schedule is as follows:

Weekend 1, Oct. 28 & 29: West Mission

Weekend 2, Nov. 4 & 5: Westside

Weekend 3, Nov. 11 & 12: North

Weekend 4, Nov. 18 & 19: East/Mission

Holiday spirit is already in the air and the crafters of San Francisco are working at full throttle to sell their wares! We've gone ahead and rounded up some of the best holiday markets, craft fairs, and more in the San Francisco Bay Area for November and December 2023. Think Bay Area Christmas markets with homemade pastries, decorations, and innovative products. Or holiday craft fairs with all the handmade jewelry, pottery, and art you could wish for.

We love San Francisco for its vibrant culture, history, and resources, but just about anyone in SF could benefit from finding new free things to do. Whether you're a college student on a budget, or a bargain hunter wanting to see the sights, this list of free museum days in San Francisco will certainly help you get started.
Nov. 11-12, 2023
Heads up, coffee lovers! The San Francisco Coffee Festival is coming up this November and tickets are now on sale. This exciting festival will feature great food, fun local products, a latte art competition, live music, learning sessions, and of course endless high-quality coffee.
Opening Nov. 16, 2023
The Exploratorium's visitor-favorite GLOW: Discover the Art of Light has announced its 2023-2024 return. GLOW is a luminous expansion of the Exploratorium's typical exhibits featuring light art by seven innovative artists. This year's new artworks allow visitors to compose music with light, play experimental LED dungeon crawlers, discover hidden crystals, and much more.

13. See a local performance of Cinderella Enchanted, The Lion King, or Guys and Dolls

The Bay Area theater calendar is always stacked with exciting performances in San Francisco, San Jose, Berkeley, Oakland, and more. We've taken a look ahead at the best plays, musicals, and performances coming up in and around SF through the end of 2023.
Opens Nov. 18, 2023
Holidays at Filoli is one of the Bay Area's most beautiful and lesser-known light displays, taking place at Filoli Estate & Gardens in Woodside. Thousands of glittering lights will adorn the garden's trees, plants, and hedges for a must-see experience.

This beloved annual event drops you into Victorian London, brought to life by hundreds of costumed players and a plethora of shops, stages, pubs, parties, and memorable performances. This annual event started in the 1970s and celebrates the world of writer Charles Dickens, author of A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, and other literary classics.

Astronomy fans around the world will soon be treated to a glittering spectacle in the form of the Leonid Meteor Shower. Meteors will rain down through from Nov. 3 through Dec. 2, 2023, with peak activity coming in the early morning hours of Saturday, Nov. 18. This is a good year to see it because the first quarter moon falls on Nov. 20 and the skies will be nice and dark.

Looking for some fun activities to do post-turkey? Thanksgiving weekend in San Francisco brings plenty of events, activities, and fun spots to hit up from Nov. 23-26, 2023. Scroll through for some essential events and activities to kick off the 2023 holiday season.
Opening Nov. 24, 2023
The Ruth Bancroft Garden is bringing back its whimsical Garden of D'Lights holiday event. Each year, they deck out the plants with multicolored lights, lasers, and more, transforming the already spectacular 3.5 acre space into an otherworldly outdoor adventure. Guests can stroll through the beautiful glowing gardens for 1-1.5 hours to discover countless photo ops and exciting displays.
Thursdays
NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences is one of our favorite ongoing events, and we're thrilled to see more of these awesome themed soirees on the calendar. The popular Thursday night festivities feature live DJs, outdoor bars, ambience lighting, and more alongside the Academy's nearly 40,000 animal residents.
Thursdays
The Exploratorium at Pier 15 in San Francisco is an exciting place for discovery any time of the day, but these 18+ After Dark events are a must for some epic kid-free fun at their exhibits. After Dark happens each Thursday from 6-10pm with a different theme every week, featuring guest speakers, films, great music, and more.

When's the last time you paid a visit to San Francisco's amazing Fort Mason Center? The popular art center hosts numerous exhibitions and events throughout the year, and there are some special ones coming up.

Make sure to visit the Guardsmen Holiday Tree Lot starting Nov. 24 and check its event calendar for the crab feed and holiday party. Secret SF readers can get 10% off tickets at checkout with code SECRETSF-23.

San Francisco's Ferry Building is one of the city's most iconic landmarks, serving as a hotspot for tourists and locals alike. It's a center for events, pop-ups, a farmers' market, and countless excellent merchants who sell their wares daily in the building's many stalls.

San Francisco's Salesforce Park is an amazing modern marvel in the Financial District. The verdant oasis rests 70 feet above the street atop the Salesforce Transit Center, and it's completely free and open for the public to visit at any time.

It also hosts a collection of free events every week, including yoga classes, bootcamps, live music, bird walks, garden tours, drum circles, tours from SF City Guides, and much more.
Nov. 29-Dec. 1
Back by popular demand, Authentic Flamenco will be heating up San Francisco once again at the Taube Atrium Theatre. The show is only here for a limited time from Nov. 29th to Dec. 1st and tickets are up for grabs. Mesmerizing flamenco dancer Paula Rodriguez will be leading the shows. Rodriguez puts everything into her performance and her command of the stage is dynamic and powerful.

Bay Area sports fans are lucky to enjoy a year-round rotation of top-tier sporting events with 6 local major league teams in the realms of baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and soccer.

This November in San Francisco, Warriors basketball season has officially begun at Chase Center. Levi's Stadium is hosting some thrilling 49ers games in Santa Clara and hockey season is in full swing for the Sharks in San Jose.

26. Grab tickets to November's most highly-anticipated concerts in the Bay Area

We're lucky to experience some spectacular Bay Area concerts this month. With a wealth of historic music venues in and around San Francisco you can count on creating some memories no matter who's playing. Read on for a list of our favorite local venues for Bay Area concerts along with upcoming 2023 dates.

27. Visit SF's enormous new rooftop restaurant high above Union Square

San Franciscans know that rooftop dining isn't particularly common around these parts, so we're fascinated to see the new rooftop restaurant coming to Union Square. Nikkei restaurant Chotto Matte has finally opened after much hype on top of the former Macy's Men's department store.

Fall foliage is truly a sight to behold and you can still catch it this November in San Francisco. Familiar shades of green give way to red, orange, yellow, and brown during an incredible seasonal display. We might not have the vast color-changing forests that the East Coast loves to brag about, but here are a few excellent local spots to enjoy this seasonal show.

29. Sip on these fall-themed coffee drinks

Cafes and cocktail bars across SF are drawing inspiration from the season to craft some truly delicious drinks. These caffeinated creations are perfect for this season of cool weather and cozy vibes.

30. A celebrity chef just opened this new restaurant with a 2-level garden patio

SF's Marina District recently added a new restaurant to its long list of beloved establishments. Blue Whale is a stylish restaurant that recently opened, serving seasonal authentic Asian cuisine. The restaurant is led by celebrity Chef Ho Chee Boon, who is known for many international restaurants, including Empress in SF. Blue Whale is an exciting addition to Chef Boon's resume, offering a more affordable and casual dining experience to San Franciscans who want to experience the famed chef's food. The center of attention is the back patio, what the Blue Whale calls a garden oasis. The spacious patio features two levels, plenty of seating, and a variety of greenery.

31. Find the best gourmet hot chocolate in SF

You don't have to be a kid to know that hot chocolate is one of the most underrated drinks on any cafe's menu. As we head into what's sure to be a chilly November in San Francisco, it's a great time to compile some spots to visit next time you're craving this delicious drink.

San Franciscans with a sweet tooth have it easy in this glorious city, because SF bakeries absolutely do not mess around. We wanted to get to the bottom of where San Franciscans get their baked goods, so we posted an Instagram poll asking for recommendations. Read on for a running list of spots recommended by locals, in no particular order.

San Francisco is full of lovely romantic places to have a date, from fine dining to intimate outdoor adventures. Are you looking for cozy, fun date ideas in the Bay Area with a partner this fall?

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33 Lovely Things To Do This November 2023 In The Bay Area

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Happy November, San Francisco! Not sure what you'll get up to this month? Read on to discover some awesome things to do around the Bay.

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Describe one of your favorite work memories.

I love when admitted students recognize me from a tour or info session! Recently, one approached me excitedly indicating that he had been in my Q&A and had gone against his counselor’s application advice and followed mine instead. He kept thanking me profusely – so gratifying!

What is your favorite TV show or one you never get tired of rewatching?

Growing up, my sisters and I watched “I Love Lucy” non-stop. Now it’s a tradition with my kids, as well as a welcome go-to for me at bedtime when I have heavy stuff on my mind. Favorite episode: “Country Club Dance”; least favorite: “Lucy Goes to Scotland”

What was the first job you ever held?

My first job was at a Long’s Drugs (think CVS – ‘80s version) as a stockboy. Five weeks in, I was lifting a pallet of motor oil down from an upper level with a mini-forklift and it fell 20 feet to its doom. I watched in horror as the oil slowly oozed out from the box and started covering the entire stockroom floor. “Pennzoil Boy” worked there for six weeks.

What do you enjoy most about working at Stanford?

After attending here and working for 10 years, I took a hiatus to find life outside the bubble. After 14 years in SF government, I missed – not the bubble – but being surrounded by the energy of dynamic, intelligent, creative, motivated people in a beautiful setting.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Finish everything I start.

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Learn more about Diwali here!

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Find a list of Black Owned Businesses in the Bay to support here!

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November 23 is National Espresso Day AND Thanksgiving!

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November 23 is National Espresso Day AND Thanksgiving!

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Caffeine to combat the Thanksgiving sleepies?

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Día de los Muertos is November 1st and 2nd! 

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Día de los Muertos is November 1st and 2nd! 

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Community Dia de los Muertos events in the Bay Area!