In this issue
Merica! Northern Californians do a cheeseburger around here like nobody’s business. We may be known around the country for our clean eating and healthy lifestyle, but there’s something about a juicy Angus patty with melted cheese and a soft bun that just makes us want to indulge.
As burgers go, our taste buds can be subjective. So, in no random order and no particular ranking, I think you need to see the 12 burgers that made our list below.
- 900 Grayson – Berkeley - 900 Grayson
US Weekly picked this spot as one of the top 25 burger joints in the US. Here's where you'll discover creative twists on comfort foods like grits and eggs or chicken and waffles. But, the burgers here? Yeah, they're the star of the show.
- Val's Hamburgers – Hayward - Tripadvisor/TravelJohnsonJ.
One-part diner and one part malt shop, customers have been coming to this spot for more than 55 years. Vinyl booths and a long counter take folks back to an earlier time. Those "Happy Days" vibes are what bring customers back year after year.
- Sam's Giant Burgers - San Lorenzo - Sam's Burgers
This vintage burger joint has been around since the 70s. With dual drive through windows, you can even walk up to order and it's open until 2:30am!
- The Habit Burger – Novato - The Habit Burger Grill
Sure, we know this is a chain restaurant. But, even a big business deserves some props for being consistently awesome!
- Surfrider Cafe - Santa Cruz - Tripadvisor/PeterSchofield37
I'd like to introduce you to the "Slippin' Jimmy Pesto Burger." Swiss cheese, bacon, and pesto topped with a garlicky tomato bruschetta mix. (We'll take two.)
- Cafe 152 Burger – Gilroy - Yelp/RavV.
If this sensational bacon mushroom cheeseburger doesn't bring you in, maybe their thick chocolate milkshakes will.
- Gott's Roadside Grill - Palo Alto - Gott's Roadside
Well, there are actually four locations to serve us Northern Californians. Started by brothers in St. Helena, their microbrews and boutique wines are not too shabby, either.
- The Plant Cafe Organic – Burlingame - The Plant Cafe
Voted #1 by SF Weekly, this vegan burger is the pinnacle of clean eating success. A house-made burger with lentils, mushrooms, beets, cashews, and bulgar wheat served on a sourdough bun with lettuce, tomato, caramelized onions and aioli. You get the picture.
- In N'Out Burger - Northern California - Tripadvisor/Superbad777
Okay, so we know this one is a Golden State favorite, but we just have to include it. One of the few chain burgers that we're loyal to--and keep us coming back for more. Plus, their "secret menu" is pretty ahhhmazing.
- Nation's Giant Hamburgers - Bay Area Locations - now in Folsom! Yelp/Shaunda D.
Founded in 1952, this establishment is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to a juicy burger and a thick shake. Oh, and don't forget their homemade pies. To. Die. For.
- Redrum Burger – Davis - Yelp/Jason G.
Many people still refer to it as "Murder Burger." Under the old name, Murder Burger was a Northern California legend established in 1986 at the Davis location. It was later changed to "Redrum Burger" after their second location in the city of Rocklin complained. That second location is no longer around.
- The Squeeze Inn – Sacramento - Yelp/Bryan S.
This old favorite is the bomb dot com. Their 1/3 pound of melted cheese makes a golden skirt around an already delicious burger! Guy Fieri calls this one an "off the hook" burger. We agree!
Whether you order with pickles, without onion, or just drown yours in a gallon of ketchup, Northern California is known for some dang good food – burgers included! This meaty dozen doesn’t even come close to naming all the great burgers in our part of the state.
The best cheeseburgers are hardly a secret, so don’t keep yours to yourself. We want to know! Where do you go for the best cheeseburger ever?
Archives
Mt. Diablo Sponsor
September 2018 
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
CHAPTER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
BY: Karin Wiborn
EAST BAY ALA Chapter President
Elizabeth Kohlman and I attended the Association of Legal Administrators 2018 Chapter Leadership Institute (“CLI”) on behalf of the East Bay Chapter. We spent two busy days attending presentations, sessions, and chapter leadership networking opportunities at the Grand Hyatt in Denver, Colorado.
Friday’s Keynote Session was presented by Christopher Meade, PhD, titled Developing Trusted Servant Leadership – A New Kind of Leader for a New Kind of World. This session was insightful and in many ways spoke to the challenges facing leadership not only in our firms, but also within ALA and its local chapters. Dr. Meade spoke regarding the significance of what he identified as “the three 70s”:
- 70% of the workforce is not engaged in their work;
- 70% of the workforce will leave jobs based on the perception of bad management; and
- 70% of the workforce will be comprised of Millennials and Gen Z by 2025, and these workforce members will demand that organizations be managed differently and NOT the way Baby Boomers have managed them in the past.
In our group breakout sessions, we reflected on the differences between “influence” verses “power” and “Boss” verses “Leader.” We also discussed the impact of lack of trust within an organization, and “Trust Builders” verses “Trust Busters.” We learned how “serving” employee needs results in “engagement” when employees know leaders want things for them and not just from them. And when coworkers feel “loved” at work (with loved described as being “ambitious” for the success of others and the success of the cause), engagement increases.
Elizabeth and I then each attended different sessions focused on topics we felt would benefit our chapter. These sessions included new membership and building relationships with Business Partners. We also participated in a session by chapter size [36 to 75 members] to discuss challenges and solutions. This was followed by another set of sessions focused on strategic planning within chapters, and creating and maintaining beneficial relationships. Friday ended with a networking reception, and we were thrilled to be invited to join the Golden Gate Chapter attendees for dinner downtown.
Saturday morning kicked off with a Strategic Plan Update presented by ALA Executive Director Oliver Yandle. This was followed by a Town Hall session with the ALA Executive Committee.
Elizabeth and I then attended a “Design Lab” session focused on “Volunteerism/Succession Planning – Recruitment, Orientation, Engagement and Recognition.” We were part of a team focused on coming up with new solutions to existing challenges our chapters are facing. It was a great problem-solving exercise and provided us with an opportunity get to know members from other ALA chapters who are struggling with some of the same challenges. We wrapped up our day attending the luncheon and General Session focused on how chapters can become CLM-approved providers.
Overall, Elizabeth and I found our attendance at CLI to be very informative and educational, particularly with respect to the challenges our chapter is facing.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Please join Golden Gate, East Bay & Silicon Valley ALA Chapters for the 34th Annual Coastal Cleanup!
Saturday, September 15, 2018
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Crown Memorial State Beach Alameda (Site #22176)
Meetup address is near the intersection of Park Street & Shoreline Drive, Alameda, CA.
Three ALA Chapters are teaming up this year for the 2018 Coastal Cleanup Day on September 15th. Please join members, business partners, and guests from East Bay, Golden Gate, and Silicon Valley chapters as we make our Bay a cleaner, healthier place to work and play.
Park District staff and volunteers will pick up litter and recyclables from shoreline parks, lakes, and along creeks in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. An adult should accompany children under 16 years old. In our efforts to "Go Green" and reduce the amount of waste, please bring a refillable water bottle, a bucket for trash, hat and gloves. All volunteers should wear closed toed shoes, appropriate layered clothing and bring sunscreen. The District will provide snacks, water, and trash bags. For more information, call (510) 544-2229, or visit the official website: https://www.coastal.ca.gov/.
ALL VOLUNTEERS must complete a volunteer agreement at check-in tables on-site.
We will have a group registration based on the number of people who sign up for this event, however if you would like to register separately, you may do so by clicking Here, type in “coastal” in the search field, and click on the blue “more” button to select the specific cleanup site.
If you have any questions, please contact the Community Connection Co-Chairs Kira Hansen (KHansen@sheppardmullin.com) and Charity Woodward (CWoodward@perkinscoie.com).
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
I would like to introduce EBALA’s newest member, Julie Burke. Julie is the Office Manager at Blum Gibbs Davies & Owen in downtown Oakland. Julie has been the Office Manager for five years. Julie lives in Albany with her husband two children. Julie has one child in high school and one in college. Julie loves to read, travel and is learning Spanish for a possible upcoming trip abroad. The World Cup was thrilling for Julie as she enjoys watching soccer. She played soccer in high school and is excited to watch her son play at his high school. She loves to catch a Giant’s game at AT&T Park when she can. Please welcome Julie to EBALA.
NEW BUSINESS PARTNERS
New Business Partner Armanino
New EBALA business partner Armanino at the National Conference
Pictured are: David Roberts, CPA, and Kendra Edson with scholarship winner, Michael Hughes.
ALA CONFERENCE ARTICLE
2018 ALA ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXPO
By Michael Hughes
Thanks to an EBALA scholarship, I attended the 2018 ALA Annual Conference & Expo in National Harbor, Maryland. The event was a wonderful opportunity to step out of my daily routine, focus on big picture issues and reenergize.
The conference presentations were grouped into competencies, and as an HR Director, I focused on the HR Management competency. I attended a wide range of excellent presentations, including ones addressing performance feedback, hiring practices, and health care benefit trends. The sessions offered a chance to network with other attendees and hear their questions.
Each morning began with a general session, and ABC Reporter John Quinones (of “What Would You Do?” fame) gave a memorable keynote address charting his career and personal struggles.
The conference was also an opportunity to meet members of EBALA and Golden Gate ALA, who sat together at meals and throughout the week. I wasn’t the only one to slip away at night to see the Washington Nationals at nearby Nationals Park. I connected with EBALA President Karin Wiborn at the vendor exhibit hall, which featured over a hundred service vendors.
Again, I’d like to thank EBALA and its sponsors for offering the scholarship. Luckily, the conference was held in early May because, several weeks ahead of schedule, my daughter Charlotte was born in mid-May!
EAST BAY CHAPTER - CALENDAR OF EVENTS
COASTAL CLEANUP - Joint Chapter Community Connection Event
September 15, 2018
8:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Crown Memorial State Beach
Park Street and Shore Line Drive
Alameda, CA
Make Our Bay a Cleaner, Healthier Place to Work and Play!
East Bay Chapter Program - ALA WEBINAR - Advanced Excel Tips and Tricks
September 18, 2018
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Laughlin, Falbo, Levy & Moresi
555 12th Street, Suite 1900
Oakland, CA 94607
http://www.ebala.org
Learn how to take Excel spreadsheet solutions to the next level of productivity.
East Bay Chapters Book Club
Plain Truth is a portrait of Amish life rarely witnessed by those outside the faith, dealing with a teenage pregnancy and the trial that follows the newborn's death. When a young Amish teen hides a pregnancy, gives birth in secret, and then flatly denies it all when the baby's body is found, urban defense attorney Ellie Hathaway decides to defend her. But she finds herself caught in a clash of cultures with a people whose channels of justice are markedly different from her own… and discovers a place where circumstances are not always what they seem.
October 09, 2018
5:45 PM to 7:00 PM
Knox Ricksen LLP
2033 N. Main Street, Suite 340
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
East Bay Chapter Program - ALA WEBINAR - Equipment Leasing Considerations and Strategies
October 11, 2018
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Laughlin, Falbo, Levy & Moresi
555 12th Street, Suite 1900
Oakland, CA 94607
http://www.ebala.org
This session will decode the language of leasing and review the terms and conditions that will affect the process and economics of your lease.
East Bay Chapter Program - ALA WEBINAR - Creating a Culturally Competent Law Firm
November 13, 2018
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Knox Ricksen LLP
2033 N. Main Street, Suite 340
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
http://www.ebala.org
Enhance knowledge and skills for building and maintaining a multicultural organization.
East Bay ALA Holiday Luncheon
December 06, 2018
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Postino
3565 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Lafayette, CA 94543
Members, Business Partners & Guests are Invited!
2019 Morning in the East Bay -
save the date
January 25, 2019
7:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Lafayette Park Hotel, Independence Room
3287 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
Lafayette, CA 94549
EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE - SAVE THE DATE
UPCOMING ALA CONFERENCES
ALA CERTIFIED LEGAL MANAGER (CLM)
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CLM Study Course
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