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Weekly Newsletter - May 19, 2010

THE PIANO PROJECT - presented by the Cotati Arts Project & Chamber
Students at El Camino High School working on the Cotati Kids Day piano.
Piano for Cotati Kids Day
Sat. 5/22 - Sat. 6/19
Check out the fabulous Art Pianos around Cotati! Local non-profits, artists and youth are working together to transform six old upright pianos into unique works of art. These one-of-a-kind art pieces will be displayed around Cotati for one month starting May 22nd  and will be available for anyone to gather around and play in front of the following locations:
    The Apple Crate Gifts & Collectibles
    Cotati Coffee
    Friar Tucks Pub
    Knimble Clothing and Knick-Knack
    Music To My Ears
    Oliver's Market         
These 6 pianos will be on display in La Plaza Park at the Jazz Festival on June 19 and will be up for auction at the Piano Drop Picnic on June 20, so check them out. You may want one of these one-of-a-kind pianos for your business or home!


PIANO PROJECT KICK-OFF EVENTS
Sat. 5/22, 12 noon - 3 pm
 
Singing in the Streets of Cotati
Join a group of fun-loving Cotati Chamber members for a Piano Crawl, with singing included! Meet at Friar Tuck's Pub at 12 noon and we will go from piano to piano in downtown Cotati, along with Jan Emerson of Voice Garden, who will accompany us on the pianos.
 
The Apple Crate Gifts
8109 La Plaza, Cotati
Entertainment & refreshments 12 - 3 pm
~ Bambi Papais, watercolor artist from Murphys will display her beautiful array of art work and cards, and talk to the public.
~ Katie McCloskey, author from Carmel and former Sonoma County Resident, will be on hand to autograph her book, The Calling, and talk to the public.  Katie worked with Mother Teresa and got a calling to write a book about her experiences there.
 
Cotati Coffee
8225 Old Redwood Hwy, Cotati
Musical entertainment 12:30 - 3 pm
 
Friar Tuck's Pub
8201 Old Redwood Hwy, Cotati
Piano player 3 pm
 
Knimble Clothing & Knick-Knack
8200 Old Redwood Hwy, Cotati
Musician 12 - 3 pm


BARK FOR LIFE

Celebrate Relay for Life with your four-legged loved ones!
Sat. 5/22, Registration at 9 am, Opening Ceremonies at 10 am
La Plaza Park, Cotati
Leprechauns for a Cure invites you to join them as they start a new Relay tradition in Rohnert Park/Cotati. Registration $20 for first dog, $5 for each additional dog per owner. For each registered dog, the owner will receive a raffle ticket for awesome prizes. Please remember dogs mus be on a leash and please be ready to clean up after your four-legged friends.
Show your Relay Spirit!
Prizes will be given for best Relay Dog and for the owner showing the most Relay Spirit!
If you are a member of a Relay for Life team, your registration fee and fundraising goes towards your fundraising total for your team.
More information,email Melissa at [email protected] or call 707-364-2532.


SECOND ANNUAL DAN GARCIA MEMORIAL CELEBRATION

Sat. 5/22, 10 am - 10 pm

Las Guitarras de Cotati, 7384 Commerce Blvd., Cotati

BBQ, Mexican Buffet and much more - BBQ Oysters, Tri-Tip Sandwich. All proceeds will go to the Dan Garcia Memorial Scholarship Fund and Relay for Life (Danny's Team).
Presale tickets available at Las Guitarras, 707-792-4380.

For more information call Gus at 707-321-1397 or [email protected]. You can also visit http://www.dangarciamemorialfund.com.



UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVES IN THE COMMUNITY
5/22 -   Oliver's Market
            546 E.Cotati Ave., Cotati
            10:00 am - 1:30 pm
5/28 -  TCBY & Moxie Java
            7285 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park
            3:00 pm - 6:00 pm               
            *Coupon for soft serve for all donors
Donors are encouraged to sign up at www.bbr.org
Your support is appreciated


COTATI CHAMBER QUARTERLY SPEAKERS SERIES
& LUNCHEON MEETING
Thurs. 5/27, 12 noon - 1:30 p.m.
Cotati Room, Ray Miller Community Center, 216 E. School St.
Topic: How to Bring Your Business Into the 21st Century with Internet Marketing,
with a panel of expert speakers in the areas of website design, social networking, and email marketing.
Buffet Lunch Catered by Karma Bistro - cost $15
RSVP by 5/24 to 707-795-5508 or [email protected].


COTATI FARMERS MARKET OPENS 9TH YEAR!
Thursdays, 6/3 - 9/16, 4:30 - 7:30 pm
La Plaza Park
Opening Night Event June 3 - Cool Car Show, Wine & Beer Booth, and Big Band Music by The Moonlighters
Come enjoy over 35 vendors offering fresh produce, handcrafted goods, and delicious food, plus live top-notch entertainment and activities for the kids!
Sponsored by the Cotati Chamber of Commerce - for more information, call 707-795-5508 or to be a vendor, call Karen at 707-769-1830.


NORTHBAY TIMES NEWS 

The Northbay Times has expanded from San Rafael to Healdsburg and Sebastopol to Kenwood. Call 707-792-1450  to give information on news stories and get a list of the advertising rates. The most positive newspaper in Sonoma County.



SONOMA COUNTY TOURISM FORUM

Fri. 6/4, 9 - 11:30 am

Flamingo Conference Resort & Spa, 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa.

          Find out why it's OK to be optimistic about California's future, as well as the importance of social media to the travel industry at the 2010 Trends in Tourism Forum, hosted by the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau (SCTB).

          Roger Selbert, one of the most respected trend experts in the United States, will provide insight into how key industries will contribute to California's road to recovery from the recession as part of his presentation, "10 Reasons to be Fabulously Optimistic about the Future of California."

          Kerry Rego, of Kerry Rego Consulting, will demonstrate the importance of social media to the tourism industry and its use as an effective tool for your business. Her specialties lie in organization and efficiency of physical spaces, social media and technology training, and computerized business.

          Continental breakfast will be served during the event, and there will be opportunities to network with other Sonoma County tourism industry representatives. While the event is free, reservations are required and it's limited to 200 attendees. Sign up at www.sonomacounty.com/signup. If you have any questions about the event, contact Justin Hayashi at (707)565-6411 or [email protected].


SUMMER MUSIC DAY CAMP
Monday-Fridays, 6/14 - 7/31, 8 am - 3 pm
Music to My Ears, 8500 Gravenstein Hwy, Cotati
            Do you know of any kids looking for a fun new summer camp?  Choose from any of the seven weeks for a special musical experience.  Choose your instrument, make music crafts, sing, learn music theory, optional performance at Spreckels. $199 per week. Sign up today by calling 664-0123 or visit www.FunMusicLessons.com

 

GRAND RE-OPENING OF MOJICA INSURANCE AGENCY
Wed. 6/16, 5 - 8 pm
6950 Commerce Blvd. Suite 3, Rohnert Park
Come and meet fellow Business and Community Leaders, lots of networking opportunities, raffle prizes, and live music. Bring a can of food to support NOAH Food Bank. Raffle prizes are welcomed.
For more info: 707-664-9391


30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COTATI JAZZ FESTIVAL & ANTIQUES SHOW
Sat. 6/19, 12 noon - 7 pm in La Plaza Park
plus downtown venues at Cotati Yacht Club, Friar Tuck's Pub, Redwood Cafe, Spancky's Bar, The Tradewinds, and Zone Music
Share an afternoon and evening of Music, Antiques, Food & Fun with your family!! Jazz ensembles will be playing all over downtown Cotati. FREE admission to the biggest little jazz festival in Sonoma County!
Wine Tasting Booth sponsored by Cotati Corner Wine Shop, Beer Booth featuring Lagunitas brews, plus new this year, Antiques vendors! Media sponsors - Comcast, The Community Voice, North Bay Bohemian. Premium sponsor - Andre Morrow, Agent State Farm Insurance. Advertising & sponsorships available at great rates for marketing your business - contact Sales Associate Jami Brady at 707-495-9373.
For more info, visit www.cotatijazz.com.


THE PIANO DROP PICNIC

Sun. 6/20, 2 - 5 pm
Larsen's Feed & Pet Supply, Corner of Hwy 116 & Stony Point Road
Don't miss our good old-fashioned community picnic. There will be food, games, prizes, music and...we're gonna drop a piano 120 feet from a crane! (no worries - it's an old, unrepairable piano) We will be crowning champions in Horseshoes, Pie-Eating, Sack Races, Egg Races and Egg Toss contests. Bring your own picnic or purchase lunch at the event. Adult Admission only $5; under 18 FREE!
Plus, we will auction off six uniquely decorated pianos as pieces of art to benefit the following nonprofits:
     SCAYD
     Sonoma County Family Daycare
     Cotati Kids Day
     Cotati Chamber of Commerce
     Thomas Page School PTA
     Rohnert Park/Cotati Boys & Girls Club
     Rotary Club of Rohnert Park-Cotati
     Education Foundation of Cotati-Rohnert Park
Sponsored by Westcoast Solar Energy, Lagunitas Brewing Co., Comcast, The Community Voice, Northbay Bohemian, and Andre Morrow, Agent State Farm Insurance .
For more information, contact the Cotati Chamber at 707-795-5508 or
[email protected].


SONOMA MOUNTAIN VILLAGE CELEBRATES!

Comcast Facility Earns LEED Platinum

Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster Earns iHub Status

Monday, 6/21, 11 am - 1 pm

     Sonoma Mountain Village and Comcast celebrate the North Bay's first LEED Platinum award for a commercial tenant. The 35,000 square foot Comcast Operations Facility is home to more than 150 employees and is zero carbon, running entirely on solar power.

     The Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster at Sonoma Mountain Village receives the prestigious Innovation Hub designation. As one of six iHubs in the state, it becomes the central coordinator for regional collaboration and commercialization of technology to stimulate job growth in the North Bay.

     Join us, along with invited guest Congresswoman Woolsey, in celebration with tours and lunch. The event kicks off at the Comcast Operations Facility at 1300 Valley House Drive, Sonoma Mountain Village in Rohnert Park

      For more information, call Tina Montgomery, Codding Enterprises at 707-795-3550 ext.138 or email [email protected].


GRAND OPENING RIBBON CUTTING & OPEN HOUSE
Sasee Salon
Thurs. 6/24, 5 - 7 pm
6 pm - Ribbon Cutting
70 W. Cotati Ave. (behind La Plaza Park)
Come meet the new salon owners, enjoy refreshments, and network with other business people!



RELAY FOR LIFE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

6/26-6/27, 10:00 am - 10 am
Sonoma Mountain Village, Valley House Drive, Rohnert Park

            The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in the communities of Cotati and Rohnert Park a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people will be out at Sonoma Mountain Village on Valley House Drive taking turns walking or running around the track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.
     Celebrate - THE SURVIVORS LAP - 6/26, 10:00 am
     Remember - THE LUMINARIA CEREMONY - 6/26, 7:00 pm
     Fight Back - THE FIGHT BACK CEREMONY - 6/27, 9:00am
If you would like to join us or have any questions please email Lisa Collodi at [email protected] or 707-694-2606


FOOD & WINE PAIRING benefiting Bays & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County

Sat. 6/26, 11 am - 5 pm
Windy Hill Winery, 1010 W. Railroad Ave. in Cotati
20 wineries, 10 restaurants, 1 brewery, unlimited wine tasting & pairing. Live music including jazz & blues, art & photography gallery, silent auction & raffle.
Tickets: $95 (2 for 1) - available at Cotati Chamber of Commerce, 216 E. School St.
Sponsored by La Carte Marketing, Windy Hill Winery, Masala Jack's, Westcoast Solar Energy.


COTATI HISTORICAL MUSEUM NOW OPEN

CORRECTION to Open Hours:
Second  Wednesday of every month, 5:30 - 8 pm (before City Council meetings)
Every Saturday, 1 - 4 pm.

The Museum is located at the back of Cotati City Hall (in the old Police Department), 201 W. Sierra Ave. Use the entrance closest to the Police Facility. A beautiful remodeling job has been done and there are lots of great photos and exhibits to see about Cotati's past. For more information, visit www.cotatihistoricalsociety.org or email [email protected].


ANNUAL SONOMA COUNTY REGIONAL PARKS PASS PROMOTION

            The 2010 Sonoma County Regional Parks Annual Pass promotion takes place April 1 - June 30. The Annual Park Pass offers unlimited day use parking in all 45 Sonoma County Regional Parks for a full 12 months.
            Park enthusiasts get much more for their money with the special offers available only during this 3-month promotion. Working in partnership with local businesses, Sonoma County Regional Parks has a huge package of free offers with each pass purchased during April, May and June.
            The 'Day Use' park passes (individual or family) cost $63, 'Golden Years' park passes (60+ yrs.) cost $28, and 'Access' park passes (for those with permanent disabilities) cost $22.
            For more information, call (707) 565-2041 weekdays, or visit www.sonomacountyparks.org



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Remember to visit
www.ShopCotati.org for discounts, coupons and info on Cotati Chamber Member Businesses! If you'd like to place an ad, contact Sales Associate Jami Brady at 707-495-9373.