You could think of Field Notes as my “blog” of observations. Periodically peek into my sketchbook, eavesdrop on my conversations, get a glimpse of my projects — and lens on life in Silicon Valley. 

Stephanie Martinson: Life Saver
Interviews Lisa Van Dusen Interviews Lisa Van Dusen

Stephanie Martinson: Life Saver

Founder of Racing Hearts & Speech Pathologist

Armed with a matter-of-fact cheerfulness and her fellow Palo Altans' willingness to help, Stephanie Martinson, a part-time speech pathologist at the VA, mom and founder of Racing Hearts, is on track to save a lot of lives. She talks with Lisa Van Dusen about her journey.

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Linda Williams: Courage Champion
Interviews Lisa Van Dusen Interviews Lisa Van Dusen

Linda Williams: Courage Champion

CEO of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte

Linda Williams, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte (PPMM), speaks with Lisa Van Dusen about the challenges of leading the nation's largest Planned Parenthood affiliate. Over Williams' 22-year tenure, PPMM has grown from a one-county, five-health-center operation to a primary health-care provider serving 42 counties in two states with 36 full-service, full-time and 12 part-time centers. Ninety-seven percent of PPMM's services are preventive.

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Mary Lynn Fitton: Girl Guider
Interviews Lisa Van Dusen Interviews Lisa Van Dusen

Mary Lynn Fitton: Girl Guider

Founder of The Art of Yoga Project

Mary Lynn Fitton lives near Heritage Park in downtown Palo Alto where she spends much of her time helping teen girls in the criminal justice system develop self-control and self-esteem through yoga and the creative arts in The Art of Yoga Project.

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Dr. SV Mahadevan: Global Scaler
Interviews Lisa Van Dusen Interviews Lisa Van Dusen

Dr. SV Mahadevan: Global Scaler

Director of Stanford Emergency Medicine International

Dr. S.V. Mahadevan was born in Oakland and raised in southern California. He attended UCLA Medical School before heading north to Stanford in 1999. When he isn't managing Stanford's Level 1 Trauma Center/Emergency Department, Dr. Maha, as he is known, is often traveling the world advising developing countries about how they can launch emergency medical services—or improve upon their existing programs.

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Dr. Ed Weiss: Pioneering Poker
Interviews Lisa Van Dusen Interviews Lisa Van Dusen

Dr. Ed Weiss: Pioneering Poker

Palo Alto Acupuncturist

Ed Weiss, M.D., has been a pioneering practitioner of acupuncture in Palo Alto for more than 35 years. After studying psychology and chemistry at Yale, he enrolled at Stanford Medical School. Following his internal-medicine residency, he set off for London for a vacation and ended up creating a self-styled fellowship in acupuncture.

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Sandy Stadler: Animal Advocate
Interviews Stephen Davis Interviews Stephen Davis

Sandy Stadler: Animal Advocate

Superintendent of Palo Alto Animal Services

For more than 14 years, Sandy Stadler has been superintendent of Palo Alto Animal Services, which is located on East Bayshore Road and serves Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills.

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