News & Views
How do you testify before the U.S. Congress, pitch a news story, run a business, show up in your community, fund a campaign, and still find time for Italian meatballs?
You learn to prioritize—and you learn to tell the truth. These posts are my take on what’s happening right now and the reinvigoration that came when I finally made time for myself. Explore the categories below—I’d love to hear from you.
25 Years Later: Italian & Sicilian American Memories of my Dad
This was Frank Biviano in 1945. Today, he is celebrating his 99th birthday in heaven. It’s hard to believe that it has been 25 years since he passed away, but his memory is a constant for me, as is my Mom’s. We were raised right and we were proud of our...
Earthquake Swarms in California
I am not a native Californian. I grew up in snowy Cortland, New York - in the midst of lake effect snow in Upstate New York. Our summers were perfect. Our winters were cold and we were nearly always guaranteed a white Christmas.The screaming headline front page, top...
Reflection: 15 Years since I lost my Mom to Pancreatic Cancer
I thought a lot about what I wanted to write today—15 years to the day that my Mom died of pancreatic cancer.Mom’s Journey—the Great DepressionJosephine Cifonelli Biviano was one of a kind. Not because she was my mother, but because she paved the way...
"The Fierce Urgency of Now"
This past Monday, Three Valleys Community Foundation (3VCF) held the silver anniversary celebration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellowship Breakfast at Palm Events Center in Pleasanton, CA. The organization, where I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors,...
A Story You Don't Know About Scott Adams
A Story You Don’t Know About Scott AdamsLike many “Dilbert” fans, I was sad to hear of Scott Adams’ passing today.If you don’t know who Scott Adams was, this is what the @Dilbert account says:Dilbert by Scott Adams is the most...
Remembering Rep. Doug LaMalfa
I didn’t know Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) as well as others, particularly those he represented in the U.S. Congress.What I did know follows the pattern of authenticity that I have written on before.Doug was a no nonsense, honest broker.I first met him in 2008, when...