Zephyr Real Estate Provides Meritus College Fund Scholarship

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 20:44:06 +0000

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Jul 02, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) –
For more than 15 years, Zephyr Real Estate has invested in the
future and education of San Francisco’s graduating seniors through
the Meritus College Fund. That tradition continues, and this year’s
recipient is Sintia Henriquez, a graduate from the June Jordan School
for Equity. Bill Drypolcher, founder and President of Zephyr,
presented the four-year scholarship at the Scholar Awards Ceremony on
May 30. The award is valued at $12,000, and Sintia plans to attend
the University of California at Los Angeles to pursue a degree in
sociology.

Meritus College Fund invests in socio-economically disadvantaged, yet
highly motivated, high school students by providing scholarships and
support in achieving their potential through higher education.
Meritus was founded in 1996 and has awarded in excess of $5 million
and innumerable hours of coaching and mentoring. Over 87 percent of
those scholars have graduated from college. The fund is supported
through donations from 800 groups and individuals who all endorse the
philosophy of creating educational opportunities for those who might
otherwise be left behind.

Zephyr managers and agents contribute to the fund each year to take
part in this worthwhile endeavor. Every dollar donated to Meritus is
completely committed to providing these scholarships. More
information about the fund and methods of support may be found at

http://www.meritusfund.org .

“My motivation to attend college is rooted in my struggles. I want to
show my family that their journey to the United States wasn’t in
vain; it was for greater opportunities that will bring me an
enriching education and experience in college,” Sintia commented. “I
know that attending college will support me and my dreams. I am
grateful for this opportunity.” Sintia is also a recipient of a
Maisin Scholars award.

Previous recipients include Samuel Cardenas, Trevor Chuan, Jorge
Pacheco, Pedro Perez, Julian Merino, Danelia Lopez, and Kevin Khai.
Their college destinations comprise California State University-East
Bay, University of California at Davis, San Francisco State,
University of California at Santa Cruz and Whittier College.

“This is one of the finest ways to give back to our community,”
commented Bill Drypolcher, who also serves on the Advisory Council
for Meritus. “We are involved with Meritus to help bridge this
educational gap and offer much-needed funding for deserving Bay Area
high school graduates to attend college and fulfill their dreams.”

About Zephyr Real Estate
Founded in 1978, Zephyr Real Estate is San
Francisco’s largest independent real estate firm with $1 billion in
gross sales in 2011 and a current roster of more than 200 full-time
agents. In 2010, Zephyr launched its new website, which has earned
three web design awards, including the prestigious WebAward for
Outstanding Website from the Web Marketing Association. Zephyr Real
Estate is a member of the international relocation network, Leading
Real Estate Companies of the World; the luxury real estate network,
Who’s Who in Luxury Real Estate; and the local luxury marketing
association, the Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco. Zephyr
has six strategically located offices in San Francisco, a business
center in Marin County, and serves a large customer base throughout
the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, visit

www.zephyrsf.com .

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        Contact:
        Melody Foster
        Zephyr Real Estate
        San Francisco, CA
        415.729.3555
        Email Contact

SOURCE: Zephyr Real Estate


http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=851B54AA21AFD96F

Article source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/zephyr-real-estate-provides-meritus-college-fund-scholarship-2012-07-02

A musical Hawaiian love

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 17:19:56 +0000

South San Francisco resident Kawika Alfiche has taught hula locally for 17 years.

Hawaiian music isn’t hitting the radio waves here on the mainland, but Kawika Alfiche is doing his best to ensure the culture stays alive on the Peninsula.

Living on the “island” of South San Francisco, 37-year-old Alfiche grew up traveling from the Bay Area to Hawaii and back. Keeping the Hawaiian traditions alive was a priority over the years which has blossomed into the opening of the Kaululehua Hawaiian Cultural Center and releasing music. His second album, Kale’a, was released this month with his musical stories generating revenue for the local education center.

A self-described airline baby, Alfiche grew up as part of the large Bay Area hula community.

Working in real estate to pay the bills, Alfiche kept up with hula and his love of Hawaiian traditions. After 17 years of performing and acting as a kumu (teacher) of hula, it was time to open a cultural center.

There were locations at which to teach, but rent continued to raise or leases were lost. One day, Alfiche saw a house with some land and a large garage for sale in South San Francisco. He sold his home in San Francisco and purchased what is now the Kaululehua Hawaiian Cultural Center where hula is taught, music is made and traditions like making leis are part of the courses offered.

Alfiche wanted a cultural center that offered hands-on educational opportunities for students. Dancing requires music and Alfiche prefers live music to pressing play. It was only logical, after years of growing up with the Hawaiian culture and being a hula child, he would attempt to master the Hawaiian language to allow him to write music.

Traditional Hawaiian music differs from what’s often on the Top 40. Alfiche compared it to Shakespeare’s English compared to the language spoken today. Mastering it took time, Alfiche laughed while saying the difference between his 2005 album and his current release is like watching a student’s mastery grow.

Through his love of Hawaiian culture, he met his partner of 15 years Kia’i.

From playful courtships to deep passion and lasting affection, it’s love Alfiche discusses in the songs throughout his new album.

The newly released album will get some play on the East Coast over the next few weeks as Alfiche and about 30 of his students travel and perform. For those on the West Coast, the music is available on iTunes, at cdbaby.com or at the only Hawaiian store in the Bay Area, The Aloha Warehouse in Japantown.

To learn more about the Kaululehua Hawaiian Cultural Center visit www.apop.net.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.

Article source: http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=155422&title=A%20musical%20Hawaiian%20love

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Zephyr Real Estate Provides Meritus College Fund Scholarship

A musical Hawaiian love