The second regional CAN meeting of Northern California was held today, April 27, 2008.

Those present were Pam Chang of Sarana Community Acupuncture of Albany, Thuy Nguyen of Berkeley Community Acupuncture, David Villanueva of Oasis Community Acupuncture, Nora Madden of Grassroots Acupuncture Project, Itay Neta of Davis Community Acupuncture Clinic, Rebekah Sitty of San Francisco Community Acupuncture, David Lesseps (and son Austin), Melissa Craven and Jenn Holley of the future Circle Community Acupuncture of San Francisco, Barbara Chapman and her volunteer Kristi from Sebatopol Community Acupuncture, Lumiel and Bruce of Three Treasures Oriental Medicine, Sue Wang from Pleasant Hill Community Acupuncture and hostesses Whitney Thorniley and Roselle McNeilly of Oakland Acupuncture Project, and Michael McCoy, from Sacramento ( a CAN founder). The clinic had chairs for almost all of us, so we sat in a nice ellipse and began with introductions. Each clinic was given a 2-page list of all the clinics and members in our area, with contact and clinic information. We all wore name tags, in addition. A nice discussion emerged as we introduced ourselves, because we were all encouraged to bring at least one question or challenge facing us at the time, with the opportunity to receive suggestions from our colleagues there. At least a few of those questions were answered, and we also had a chance to discuss our idea of what is happening with CAN and our local scene. Cards were given out, as well as promises to follow up on ideas, many of which were generated by Michael.

Melissa Craven of Circle Community Acupuncture, scheduled to open soon.

Rebekah Sity of San Francisco Community Acupuncture, 220 Valencia Street San Francisco, California, 94103 415-675-8973 She partners with Rebecca Rizzetta.

Here are Whitney Thorniley of Oakland Acupuncture Project, 3576 Laurel Ave. Oakland, California, 94602 (510) 326-3710 Her partner is Roselle McNeilly, seen partially in the last photo. She is with Thuy Nguyen of Berkeley Community Acupuncture 2880 Sacramento Street Berkeley, California, 94702 510-704-0593

Here are Pam Chang of the newly opened Sarana Community Acupuncture Tatyana Ryevzina, LAc, Pamela Chang, LAc , 968 San Pablo Ave Albany, California, 94706 510.526.5056, with Sue Wang of Healing Community Acupuncture yhew Way, Suite 900 Pleasant Hill, California, 94523 925-207-1034 http://www.cmedicine.comand Rebekah.

Here are David Villanueva of Oasis Community Acupuncture, 36614 Newark Blvd. Newark, California, 94560 510-552-2208 , http://oasiscommunityacupuncture.com and Itay Neta of Davis Community Acupuncture Clinic, 817 4th St. Davis, California, 95616 530-219-0761, http://www.PainlessAcupuncture.org, extracting more ideas from Michael McCoy, one of the original CAN founders.

Here is another partner, Jenn Holley of the Circle Community Acupuncture of San Francisco; their other partner, David Lesseps, is not pictured.

Not everyone knew that it was a potluck, but we still had plenty of leftovers! What a great spread, thanks to everyone who brought something. Yum.

Eventually all chairs were taken, the room was filled, and we had a great introduction/questions and answer session. There’s Roselle of Oakland Acupuncture Project sitting to my left. Barbara Chapman ( Sebastopol Community Acupuncture 876 Gravenstein Hwy So, Suite 7 Sebastopol, California, 95472 707.823.2217 http://www.sebastopolcommunityacupuncture.com) on the left, and the redhead behind Sue is Kristi. We all straggled in for about 30 minutes, meeting and greeting and setting up the food. Then we sat down, as pictured above, and started talking. This went on for maybe 1.5 hours, till about 5:00. Then we ate and mingled till 6:30. Many thanks to Whitney and Roselle for your hospitality!

It must have been a success because everyone seemed to want another conference like this soon.

We’re happy and proud to have so many community clinics in the Bay Area, and welcome newcomers to our circle, both patients and acupuncturists!