FYI FYI (July 27, 2005)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ... Roche celebrated its centennial anniversary in the United States last week. The global healthcare company, which has affiliate sites throughout the country, including the Bay Area, opened its first American office 100 years ago in Manhattan. Over the years, many of the company's key innovations emerged from Bay Area branches, including their site in Palo Alto. The immunosuppressant mycophenolate mofetil , now the world's leading transplant medicine for kidney, heart and liver transplantation, was discovered at Roche Palo Alto.

TALK, TALK ... The Silicon Valley Leadership Group recently announced the hiring of a new director of communications -- Jennifer Luciano, who was formerly with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. The Silicon Valley Leadership Group, founded in 1978 by David Packard of Hewlett Packard represents 195 of Silicon Valley's employers.

LET'S GET TOGETHER ... Full-service international law firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP has finalized its merger with Ritchey Fisher Whitman & Klein, PC, a Palo Alto firm with 15 attorneys practicing in the areas of litigation, financing and acquisitions, employment, tax and estate planning.

DE-LUXE JEWELERS ... Luxe Jewelers, a direct sales company based in Palo Alto, is offering an interesting twist to purchasing and owning jewelry: just make it yourself. The company, which has been in existence for less than a year, teaches jewelry making at home parties and enables women to start their own jewelry business. "This isn't your mother's Tupperware party. It's social, stylish, creative and fun," said company CEO Jessica Herrin, one of the co-founders of Weddingchannel.com. The jewelry is designed by Maya Brenner , who has created pieces for such celebrities as Reese Witherspoon, Rebecca Romijn and Lindsay Lohan. For more information, go to the company's Web site at www.luxejewels.com.

WORLD LEADERS ... Mary McCusker, executive director of the Mental Research Institute of Palo Alto, has been selected to attend the new Women Leaders of the World program this summer at Santa Clara University. One of just 14 individuals chosen for the program, she will take part in a two-week effort designed for women who have shown great leadership skills. McCusker has a long volunteer background working with women and children. She is also a court-appointed child advocate and trains emergency room volunteers at El Camino Hospital.

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