In this issue
30 OF THE WORLD’S BEST PLACES TO VISIT
#1 ROME
Why go: When you visit the Eternal City, prepare to cross a few must-see attractions – the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, to name a few – off your bucket list. Additional treasures like St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel can be found in nearby Vatican City.
#2 SYDNEY
Why go: This metropolis offers more than just a dizzying array of landmarks (e.g., the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge). The Australian city boasts a warm, sunny climate ideal for enjoying local beaches like Coogee and Bondi.
#3 PORTO (PORTUGAL)
Why go: Travel to this coastal Portuguese city for its rich history, charming architecture, abundant beaches and, of course, its claim to fame, port wine. What’s more, a visit here is more cost-efficient compared to larger European destinations.
#4 LONDON
Why go: London is a world unto itself. The eclectic neighborhoods – which house a blend of historic landmarks and modern-day attractions – can keep you occupied for days. Be sure to visit the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and the British Museum during your stay.
#5 PARIS
Why go: Year after year, the magnetic City of Light draws travelers looking to cross the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame off their bucket lists. But what visitors really fall in love with are the city’s quaint cafes, vibrant markets, trendy shopping districts and unmistakable je ne sais quoi charm.
#6 NEW YORK
Why go: New York City hosts infinite urban adventures: wander through Central Park, tour the exhibits at the Met, catch a Broadway show or peruse SoHo’s stylish boutiques. And at night, admire Manhattan’s glittering skyscrapers from the top of the Empire State Building.
#7 FLORENCE
Why go: The historic city of Florence offers plenty of world-famous attractions, including the Duomo, the Piazzale Michaelangelo and the Piazza della Signoria. After appreciating the city’s Renaissance architecture and art, sample some of the region’s delectable Tuscan food and wine.
#8 PRAGUE
Why go: Places like the Old Town Square, St. Vitus Cathedral and the Prague Astronomical Clock will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairy tale. Make sure to visit the popular Charles Bridge and touch one of the 30 saint statues for luck.
#9 BARCELONA
Why go: Though known for its fútbol team, Barcelona boasts much more than athletic talent. The city is a feast for the eyes: Visitors can walk past medieval architecture in the Barri Gòtic and Gaudi's unique creations at Güell Park. Meanwhile, Las Ramblas buzzes at all hours
#10 DUBAI
Why go: Stunning Persian Gulf views, heart-pumping activities and historic landmarks await in Dubai. This Middle Eastern city is filled with one-of-a-kind attractions, including the Dubai Mall – one of the world's largest shopping centers – and the indoor Ski Dubai.
#11 AMALFI COAST
Why go: Few places in the world can rival the natural beauty found along the Amalfi Coast. This region along the Italian coast is home to 13 quaint towns and plenty of upscale hotels and resorts, plus lots of delectable Italian food. Plan a spring or fall visit to avoid the summer crowds.
#12 SANTORINI
Why go: Frequently touted as a top honeymoon destination, this Greek isle woos newlyweds every year with its breathtaking sunsets, pastel hued villages and black- and red-sand beaches. Don't forget to leave some time to visit archaeological sites, such as Ancient Thira.
#13 HONOLULU
Why go: The most-visited island in Hawaii is famous for its inviting beaches and places of cultural significance such as Pearl Harbor and 'Iolani Palace. Book a room at a beachfront hotel in Wakiki Beach to have easy access to the shore and enjoy plenty of upscale shopping and dining options nearby.
#14 GRAND CANYON
Why go: Measuring roughly 277 miles long and 18 miles wide, the Grand Canyon offers plenty of outdoor activities for adventure junkies. Popular things to do at this national park include hiking the Bright Angel and Rim trails and going whitewater rafting on the Colorado River.
#15 BALI
Why go: Serene temples and beaches are the biggest draws to this lush paradise. You'll also have plenty of opportunities to interact with monkeys and elephants while exploring Bali. To avoid the region's notorious wet season, consider visiting between April and October.
#16 SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK
Why go: Located in Tanzania, this national park is famous for the Great Migration. Every year, more than 1 million animals traverse the region in search of food and breeding grounds. Travel here to see majestic lions, elephants and zebras in their natural habitat.
#17 VANCOUVER
Why go: Travel to this Canadian destination to experience the great outdoors. Hike, bike, swim or ski at places like Grouse Mountain, Kitsilano Beach and Queen Elizabeth Park. Or tackle the urban jungle on Granville Island before dancing the night away in Yaletown.
#18 BRECKRIDGE
Why go: Breckenridge beckons to outdoor enthusiasts. Winter draws hundreds of skiers and snowboarders to the slopes while warmer months welcome bikers, hikers and leaf peepers. Don't forget to partake in the après-ski scene and enjoy a crisp Breckenridge brew.
#19 PHUKET
Why go: Located in southern Thailand, the island of Phuket offers something for everyone. For stunning scenery, check out the limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay and the beaches of the Phi Phi Islands. Other must-see attractions include Wat Chalong Temple, the Big Buddha and Old Phuket Town.
#20 SAN SEBASTIAN
Why go: Some of the best beaches in Europe can be found in San Sebastian, just steps from the Old Town. Spend the day soaking up the sun on La Concha Beach before devouring world-class food, including pintxos, the Basque version of tapas.
#21 TAHITI
Why go: Travel to this island, the largest in French Polynesia, for a glimpse of the unique landscape. On a trip here, you'll likely stay at one of many luxury hotels with overwater bungalows, making it the perfect place for those seeking seclusion.
#22 YOSEMITE
Why go: Year after year, millions travel to Yosemite National Park to see natural wonders like Glacier Point and the Half Dome. Hit the hiking trails early in the day to avoid crowds looking for the perfect photo op. Skip the hotel and camp out for the full experience.
#23 COSTA RICA
Why go: From volcanic mountains to lush rainforests to stunning coastlines, a visit to Costa Rica is one of the best kept secrets in Central America – but not for long. Explore the beaches along the Nicoya Peninsula before heading to the remote Tortuguero National Park to spot exotic wildlife.
#24 BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Why go: If picturesque beaches and warm weather are what you're after, look no further than the British Virgin Islands. For easy access to Smuggler's Cove, Brewers Bay and other top-notch BVI beaches, consider booking your hotel room on Tortola, the territory's largest island.
#25 PARK CITY
Why go: This Utah mountain town has earned a reputation as a top-notch winter ski destination, so luxury hotels and resorts cater to skiers and snowboarders. Plus, you have a good chance of spotting celebrities during the annual Sundance Film Festival.
#26 GREAT BARRIER REEF
Why go: The world's largest coral reef system boasts incredible scenery, whether you view it underwater, from the air or by boat. Though plenty of diving and snorkeling spots can be found along Queensland's coast, to escape the crowds, take an excursion to Hamilton Island.
#27 MACHU PICCHU
Why go: A visit to the lost city of Incas is not for the faint of heart, but for those who acclimate to the altitude it's a life changing experience. While the four-day hike along the Inca Trail is challenging, arriving at the site during sunrise is well worth it.
#28 BANFF
Why go: Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, this national park offers more than 80 hiking trails during the warmer months, ski slopes in the winter and some of the most beautiful vistas in the world year-round.
#29 JACKSON HOLE
Why go: Although you'll find plenty of upscale hotels and ski resorts in this Wyoming town, it still maintains a remote, small-town feel and that's what travelers love about it. Plus, a visit here puts travelers close to one of the most majestic national parks in the world – Grand Teton National Park.
#30 ST. LUCIA
Why go: This Caribbean destination is tailor-made for lovebirds. The island is dotted with luxurious boutique hotels catering to those looking spend time on beautiful unspoiled beaches with views of the Piton Mountains.
Archives
Mt. Diablo Sponsor
April 2018 
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
An ALA Journey
BY: Karin Wiborn, Ebala Chapter President
My journey began in October 1991. New to law firm management, I quickly realized the value of membership in the Association of Legal Administrators. I decided to get involved with the East Bay Chapter and volunteered to be the Newsletter Editor. (In those days, we had to “cut and paste” to create a paper layout which was then photocopied and mailed.) The wonderful experiences derived from working with other law firm administrators led me to embark on a path of leadership in EBALA, culminating in serving as Chapter President from 2001 – 2002.
When my term as Chapter President ended, the road took a bit of a U-turn. Balancing family and work was a challenge, and I did not feel I could make the commitment to follow the road to the next level of ALA leadership. However, I continued to enjoy supporting EBALA in various capacities, most recently as Co-Chair of the Newsletter (now in digital format).
Over 16 years later, I find myself once again serving as EBALA’s President. Although active with EBALA over the years, I realized I have not really tapped into all that ALA has to offer. When speaking with some of our members, it seems they felt the same way. So, our Board theme this year is “Get ALA Inspired.” Are you benefiting from everything your ALA membership has to offer? Would you like to get more involved but don’t know where to start? Is there more EBALA can do to meet your needs?
We are all extremely busy in our business and personal lives. Yet we know it is important to stay current with legal trends and the ever increasing challenges facing law firms. We benefit from participating in educational programs as well as opportunities to develop relationships with business partners and other ALA members. You never know when you might need to reach out to a colleague for information or support! Take advantage of the resources available to you through ALA and EBALA, and “Get ALA Inspired.” I hope to see you at an event soon!
EAST BAY CHAPTER - CALENDAR OF EVENTS
East Bay Chapters Book Club
May 14, 2018
5:45 PM to 7:00 PM
Buchman Provine Brothers Smith LLP
2033 N. Main Street, Suite 720
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
http://www.ebala.org
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
and
my beloved world by SONIA SOTOMAYOR
Back to top
FOOD FROM THE BAR
ALAMEDA COUNTY FOOD FROM THE BAR
http://www.accfb.org/foodfromthebar
Conta costa county food from the bar
Comedy Night Flyer: http://www.cccba.org/flyer/FFTB_Comedy_Night_2018.pdf
Link to sign up for Comedy Night: http://www.foodbankccs.org/fftbcomedynight
SPEAKER ARTICLE
MORNING IN THE EAST BAY 2018
By: joy buchanan, Miller Starr
EBALA’s annual Morning in the East Bay Educational Conference was held on January 26, 2018 at the Lafayette Park Hotel. Members, guests and Business Partners totaled 43 in attendance. Attorneys Chad Greeson and Yen Chau from the Employment Practice Group at Archer Norris started the morning with a Labor Law Update, their tag-team approach kept the audience engaged while providing pertinent information about existing and new laws effective January 1st. In California there are always at least a few new employment laws every year! The timing of Morning in the East Bay at the beginning of the year is ideal for early education and getting in front of new laws.
After the morning session, the Business Partner Exhibition provided an opportunity for members and guests to meet and catch up with Business Partners and learn more about their services and industries. Our Business Partners provide EBALA with wonderful support throughout the year and are a great resource for key services, including but not limited to recruiting and staffing, insurance needs, efiling/eDiscovery, legal research, offsite storage and other legal and office related services.
President of WorkWise Productions/KristineSexter.com, Kristine Sexter’s presentation, Top 25 Approaches for Maximizing the Value of Your Staff! was extremely informative. Heads were nodding as Kristine set the stage by outlining information and bullet point characteristics spanning the generations from Traditionalists (born 1925 – 1945) to Gen C (born 2000 – present). She provided measurably effective strategies for engaging, challenging and motivating the multi-generational workforce that comprise many of our firms. Kristine’s enthusiastic and comedic personality kept the audience engaged and entertained while she educated us. The evaluations were unanimous that Kristine’s presentation provided useful information and was right on point. Kristine is known throughout ALA as a repeat presenter at Annual and Regional Conferences and we were honored to have her present to EBALA.
Lucky EBALA members Michael Hughes won a $1,500 scholarship to ALA Annual Conference and Expo in National Harbor, Maryland, May 3rd – 6th, 2018 and Annie Lathram won a $1,000 “winner’s choice” scholarship to attend any of ALA’s educational conferences this year. Congratulations Michael and Annie! Many other attendees were the fortunate recipients of generous raffle prizes donated by Business Partners and speaker, Kristine Sexter.
The day was capped off with a networking luncheon open to all EBALA members. 14 members attended and discussed subjects relevant to issues at their respective firms. Members appreciated the opportunity to network, ask questions and share ideas with their EBALA colleagues over lunch.
Mark your calendars now and watch for the date to be announced for Morning in the East Bay at the end of January 2019. It is a great way to spend a Friday morning and the educational content and member and business partner interaction is the best deal in the East Bay!
EAST BAY CHAPTERS
The East Bay Chapters
is excited to announce our next book selection
“My Beloved World”
By: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Graceful, authoritative memoir from the country’s first Hispanic Supreme Court justice.
As a child in South Bronx public housing, Sotomayor was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Her Puerto Rican parents’ struggles included a father’s battle with alcoholism that would claim his life when Sotomayor was 9, leaving her mother, a former Women’s Army Corps soldier turned nurse, to raise her. Time spent with her cousin, Catholic school friends and her beloved grandmother helped to calm the chaos of life in the projects. As Sotomayor entered adolescence, her mother’s strong belief in education spurred the author to thrive in school and develop an appreciation for justice and the law. The author vividly narrates her scholarly adventures at Princeton, where she advocated for Latino faculty, and Yale Law School, where she dealt with smaller cases in preparation for the complexities of work in the district attorney’s office. In 1992, she received an appointment to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The author’s text forms a cultural patchwork of memories and reflections as she mines the nuances of her parents’ tumultuous relationship, fondly recalls family visits in Puerto Rico and offers insight on a judicial career that’s just beginning when the memoir ends. Sotomayor writes that her decision (a shrewd one) to close her story early is based on both a political career she feels is “still taking shape” and a dignified reluctance to expand upon any recent high court “political drama,” regardless of the general public’s insatiable curiosity.Mature, life-affirmative musings from a venerable life shaped by tenacity and pride. (Kirkus Reviews.com/book-reviews/sonia-sotomayer/my-beloved-word/)
We will be meeting on Monday, May 14 at 5:45 pm at Buchman Provine Brothers Smith LLP, (Elizabeth Kohlman has graciously offered to host), 2033 N. Main Street, Suite 720, in Walnut Creek (across from the Walnut Creek BART station), for our book group discussion of Lincoln in the Bardo as well as My Beloved World. I hope you can join your fellow EBALA members for this fun and enjoyable night.Our book club is open to all members. Please join us at any time.
If there is a book you would like The East Bay Chapters to consider in the future, please contact Tina Riehl at triehl@briscoelaw.net
