Weimers has contributed articles to regional and national magazines, is the author of “Leigh Weimers' Guide to Silicon Valley,” published in 1986 and 1993, and co-author of "Silicon Valley: A 110-Year Renaissance," published in 2007.
He is the recipient of numerous awards for journalism and civic involvement, including the Spirit of the Arts Award from Arts Council Silicon Valley, the international Significant Sig award from Sigma Chi Fraternity, and the Tower Award, San Jose State University's highest
service award.
Silicon Valley is recognized around the world as the center of innovation. But this region is so much more than just technological advancements and for the first time, we invite you to help celebrate what makes Silicon Valley the “Valley of Firsts”.
The First Festival is an annual virtual festival held on New Year’s Day, which offers our region an opportunity to recognize the history-making achievements that have taken place in our community by nominating in one of five different categories.
Conceptualized by Leigh Weimers, noted Bay Area newspaper columnist, First Fest is an annual virtual festival, held every New Year's Day, to offer San Jose and Silicon Valley a chance to celebrate the history-making achievements that have taken place here. A few examples: California's first secular city. California's first state capital. The birth of the technology revolution. The invention of the first disk drive. The first mapping and photos of Earth from outer space, and many others.
But beyond such historical achievements, First Fest also affords you an opportunity to share with the world your own significant “firsts” of the past year, be they individual or family, group or corporate: a company's first dollar or first million, a baby's first step, a family's first home, the possibilities are limitless.
A distinguished panel of judges — Irene Dalis, Greg Jamison, Diane McNutt, and Steve Wozniak, all of whom have registered significant personal firsts — will judge the entries and select the “first among firsts,” which will be announced on New Year's Day at 10:00AM.
That is when you're invited to join in again -- a virtual online “pajama party” on New Year's morning where you can view all the firsts, post your comments, engage in online chats and vote for which of the firsts you consider most significant -- the people's choice. All the results will remain up on the Web site for the ensuing year for worldwide inspection and comment.
And the following New Year's Day, we do it all over again to mark the achievements of 2009
The winning nominator in each category, selected on January 1, will enjoy an exclusive VIP reception which includes cocktails and appetizers atop the patio at the 88 high-rise condo in Downtown San Jose with Leigh Weimers, Steve Wozniak, our distinguished judges and sponsors.
