Bears That Care: Genentech Charity Challenge

Genentech was the scene of a Bears That Care team building event yesterday. 33 bears and assorted other animals were stuffed and dressed and packaged for needy children. After a series of children's games to put the teams in the 'mood' of childhood, 20 Genentech Rituxan marketing staff assembled the Bears, designed and executed stuffed animal t-shirts, made cards and packaged the Bears which were then donated to the Family Giving Tree.

Here's what Sheri Hockaday had to say about this charitable challenge,
" I just wanted to tell you that we loved our build-a-bear event. Frank did a wonderful job, the games were so fun and everyone really enjoyed themselves. It was a perfect way to end the year! Thank you!"

Bears that Care is only one of the Murder on the Menu/TeamBuilding Unlimited Charity Challenges. Next week a different team at Genentech will participate in our Trikes for Tots--building tricycles and designing t-shirts for the children who will receive the trikes and a lot more.

What a great holiday season for Giving. Add an activity like this to your holiday party. Contact us
for more information.

Gingerbread 'University" Building Competition

Twenty five insurance training/educators gathered together Friday at the Lodge at Tiburon to compete in a Gingerbread "University" building contest. Great ideas and great designs were the theme of the event, as each team of five put to use the best candy and gingerbread materials to build a 'real time' gingerbread university. It didn't matter that much of the company's training is done via webinar and internet. In addition to the structures, each team had to name their building and write and sing a song about it. The judges were hard put to choose the best. Each university was unique and spectacular. Prizes were awarded for first, second and third place. The Gingerbread universities then made the trek back to the company offices in San Francisco, hopefully without collapsing.

The real theme of the day was teambuilding/teambonding, and Murder on the Menu/TeamBuilding Unlimited delivered on that. Quite a fun event.

The Arresting Detective

Peter Nachtrieb was Murder on the Menu's Arresting Detective at an evening dinner meeting for the Western Region of Carlson WagonLit last night at the DoubleTree Hotel in San Jose. Frank T. Lawman arrived to arrest several of their people at what turned into a riotous affair. Bottles of wine bearing photos of some of the 'perps' were given out, small gifts based on individual interests and 'dirt' were distributed, and a great time was had by all. Did the suspects go to jail? Certainly not. They need to be on the job for another day helping clients book their meeting space, arrange for special events, book travel and so much more.

The Arresting Detective is a great way to spice up a party or meeting. 30-45 minutes of comic fun!

SFCVB Sets Sail

Only in San Francisco

The staff of the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau set sail today on a Cruise to Die For.... Some may have thought they were going on a holiday Bay Cruise, but pretty soon they realized more was afoot. Something was up when odd characters offered a partnership with a unique new San Francisco product--"San Francisco in a Bottle." Drink and eat in a bottle. These bottles were going to capture the many neighbors that make up San Francisco--Chinatown Chardonnay, Mission Merlot, South of Market Sauvignon, Beach Chalet Burgundy, and the list went on. The premise was to offer a bottle to each member of the SFCVB, cases to meeting planners and travel agents, and maybe later have the bottles for sale at the SFCVB. But the afternoon wasn't all about this 'fantastic' new wine.

The company that proposed it had some skeletons in their closet, and before the ship docked there were five crimes committed. Joe D'Alessandro, head of the CVB and someone who loves red wine and everything Italian, wanted justice done. Could he be bribed with a bottle of NorthBeach Red--part red wine, some pasta, a little tomato paste and lots of garlic? As it turned out, he was one of the suspects. Murder on the Menu's Ace detective, Frank T. Lawman (aka Peter Nachtrieb) grilled many suspects throughout the cruise. He even brought wanted posters on lots of the well-known suspects and bureau staff. But all good -or bad--things come to an end, at least in Murder on the Menu productions. Each table became a team as they matched wits with Frank T. The solution to the dastardly crimes came to light as the fog shrouded San Francisco Bay. This customized uniquely San Francisco Murder Mystery could happen "Only In San Francisco," everybody's favorite city.

More Holiday Party Ideas

With the economy being what it is many companies are paring back their holiday parties. Murder on the Menu/TeamBuilding Unlimited has lots of ideas that won't strain the budget.

A full scale Murder on the Menu production is awesome, but if you don' t have the budget, consider hiring our Arresting Detective. He breaks up your party and arrests 10-12 of your 'top' people for something great. Wanted posters, small gifts based on interests and foibles of the 'perps'. This is a good natured mini-roast. 30-45 minutes.

Want a new research lab but not sure where you'll find the funds? How about a Gingerbread Research Lab contest. We'll provide all the gingerbread, graham crackers, icing, decorations, prizes and more. Roll up your sleeves and get in the spirit. Donate the Gingerbread Labs or Houses to hospitals or children's centers after the event.

Want to give back to the community instead of the usual holiday party?
How about our Charity Challenge?

• Trikes for Tots is a great way to get into the holiday spirit as seen by children. After a series of competitive children's games, each team will build a tricycle and design a t-shirt that reflects your company and team. Trikes and t-shirts are then donated to local charities for kids in need.

• Bears That Care is another Charity Challenge designed by Murder on the Menu/Teambuilding Unlimited. After a series of children's trivia and games, each participant will assemble a bear or another fuzzy animal and design a t-shirt for the animal. Stuffed animals will be donated to a local charity, police or fire organization.

Want to have the ultimate reward for your team? Consider a Chocolate Tasting. This luscious chocolate seminar guides you through the history and culture of chocolate and tastings of chocolate from 40% to 85% cacao. Like a wine tasting, only better... it's all about chocolate!

I'll be posting other options for you to do on your own. Stay tuned.