Cubes & Crayons Coworking - Silicon Valley

Help a Mother Out: A Cool Nonprofit

Sometimes we come across a great idea or organization that our community should know about it.  Recently, I connected with the girls from Help a Mother Out and just loved their story.  Take a moment and read how they created an amazing organization that is so important, especially in these economic times. 

A few months ago, Lisa and I were enjoying a rare night out without kids or spouses. Over happy-hour sushi and cocktails, our conversation took a more serious turn. Like everyone else these days, we’ve been feeling the pinch of the economic downturn and the worry of an uncertain future—and yet we both realized just how fortunate we still are: We have our homes, our households have steady (if unpredictable) incomes, our children are healthy and well cared for. Lisa had recently heard about the growing numbers of newly homeless women and children and about the tent cities in Sacramento (prominently, possibly erroneously, featured on Oprah), and was deeply affected by the knowledge that many of these families never thought this could happen to them either.

Member Benefits: Discounts at our Partners

While Cubes&Crayons members receive the best infant childcare with 5 languages spoken as well as great office space, free events, and of course, the chocolate, they also enjoy privileges at local partners:

• Earth Baby - compostable diaper service, Cubes&Crayons' members can use Cubes&Crayons as a pickup/drop off space and enjoy $5/month off of your pick up fee; a great way to save money and be conscious of the environment at the same time.
• DayOne - a complete one stop resource center for your pregnancy and first year of parenthood; enjoy your first class at DayOne for free (a $45 value.)
• BabyBuzz Cafe - a fantastic boutique for children with fun events such as mom's night out as well; enjoy 10% savings on retail purchases.

Know a great company we should partner with?  Let us know at contact[at]cubesandcrayons [dot]com

C&C Reads: Max's Words

A clever look at the power of words and a great way to generate interest in reading and stories.

Title: Max's Words
Author: Kate Banks
Illustrator: Boris Kulikov

What we love: Max's brothers collect things and Max wants to collect something, too.  He decides on words.  What we love is that as he finds new words he figures out the power of putting them together in different orders to create different meanings.  The illustrations are charming and the concept is well executed as stories are woven with max and his brothers.  A great introduction to reading for the 2 year old and a great read with the child learning to read.  Also check out  Max's Dragon, a sequel in which Max explores rhyme with his dragon friend. 

A Conversation at Cubes&Crayons

I talk with potential investors often and they ask what makes Cubes&Crayons unique.  A valid concern and yet while on the surface it is obvious this is a different model, in terms of straight financials the revenue generation might not be unusual.  What is though is an intangible that investors might find too "fluffy" but is a very real and essential part of our success.  It is that intangible "community" that makes places like Cubes&Crayons and other coworking spaces.

Toddler Summer Camp - Registration now open

 We are thrilled to offer Summer Camp for children in Mountain View and the surrounding Area.  Join us for a great time.  Each week provides toddlers learning, playtime, and art activities.  Sign up for one week, two weeks or all summer long.  All camp will be conducted at Sylvan Park.  

Details:

Ages: 2 - 3 Years

Days: T, TH

Time: 9am - 11am (after care at Cubes&Crayons available at $14/hr.)

Cost: $130/2 week session for members; $150/2 week session for non-members

Size: 4 kids minimum; 6 kids maximum

Registration: contact@cubesandcrayons.com for registration form; Registration closes May 30, 2009

Dates:

Hello San Francisco!

Cubes&Crayons is coming to San Francisco in late May/Early June 2009. Our rate is $15/hr and includes office space + childcare.  In order to get to SF, we are looking for 25 people who would like to use us a minimum of 40 hours a month. 

Additionally, office space is available without childcare for as little as $35/day or $350/month for unlimited use.  Feel free to forward this information to anyone else you think might be interested.  They are welcome to contact us with questions or to get on the waiting list.  Email at contact {at} cubesandcrayons.com. 

For more information on Cubes&Crayons, we invite you to join in, observe, or participate in any of the following:

C&C Reads: When Giants Come to Play

Just to give us a little perspective, Andrea Betty brings us her imaginative story of giants joining protagonist Anna for an afternoon of play.

Title: When Giants Come to Play
Author: Andrea Beatty
Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes

What we love: This story allows little girl, Anna, to be even littler as she engages in marbles with a soccer ball, tea parties, and jumping rope with her two goodhearted friends, the giants.  A simple story that delights young readers is coupled with illustrations filled with rich detail that are enjoyed each time it is read.  Expect to read this story over and over again. 

C&C Reads: Giraffes Can't Dance

A whimsical rhyme about finding our own rhythm to dance to in life and not letting others ruin our own esteem.

Title: Giraffes Can't Dance
Author: Andreae Giles
Illustrator: Guy Parker-Rees

What we Love: A simple story of Gerald, an awkward giraffe, who wishes he could dance with the other animals but is laughed out of the jungle, Giraffes Can't Dance is a story to which we can all relate. 

Cubes&Crayons Becomes Finalist

All was quiet, and then suddenly everyone's talking about Cubes&Crayons Coworking again.  Most recently, we were alerted that a quick 1 minute pitch over a cell phone done while at SXSW made us a favorite and landed us in the top 20 startups.  A panel of judges will decide whether to award us a $4,500 prize and more importantly place as the winning start up.  In the mean time, you can vote for us as a fan favorite.  Details...

What's a Coworking Space?

At Cubes&Crayons coworking most of the people who use the space don't even realize that they are active parts of this crazy coworking movement that is sweeping the globe. And then last night while I was at an entrepreneurs mixer and people asked about Cubes&Crayons I started with it is a coworking space and their eyes waxed over so switched to we are a flexible work space with drop-in infant and childcare onsite.  Towards the end of the evening, I said to a woman that we were a flexible work space, and she said "Oh, you mean a coworking space."  You just never knew who knows the term or not.  Here's a few of my favorite definitions to help those new to the term: