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Update - November 4, 2010
NOMINATIONS WANTED FOR CHAMBER BOARD &
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
- Deadline Tomorrow!

     The Cotati Chamber Board of Directors is looking for Chamber members interested in serving on the 2011 Board of Directors. The Board meets once a month and each member also assumes committee work in areas like Economic Development, Cotati Farmers Market,  Luncheons & Workshops, Cotati Jazz Festival, and Membership. If you're interested, please fill out the nomination form by CLICKING HERE (yes, it's okay to nominate yourself!). The deadline for nominations is Friday, November 5.

     The Board is also requesting nominations for the Cotati Citizen of the Year 2010. If you know a citizen of Cotati that has shown exemplary involvement in the community and deserves to be recognized, nominate them for Citizen of the Year. Recent honorees have been Henry Fuhs, Mike Kurvers, Steven Onines, and Councilmember Pat Gilardi. The award will be presented at the Chamber's Annual Awards Dinner in January 2011. Fill out the nomination form by CLICKING HERE.  The deadline to return the Citizen of the Year Nomination Form is Friday, November 5.

     If you have any questions, feel free to contact Suzanne at the Chamber office at 707-795-5508 or email [email protected].


"ASK THE EXPERT" SESSIONS FOR SMALL BUSINESS

     Get your business questions answered -FREE!  There isn't a manual that tells you everything you need to know about properly setting up your business, managing your business and becoming a successful entrepreneur, but you can get help by coming and asking the expert!

     These are free 1-hour informative and discussion sessions taking place each Friday at our Santa Rosa center. Each Friday there will be a different expert and topic. Bring your lunch- coffee, tea and water will be provided.

NEXT SESSION

     Ask the Expert About SBA Loans

     Date:  Friday, November 5, 2010

     Time:  12 - 1 pm

     Location:  SBDC conference room, 1808 Albany Drive, Santa Rosa, on the SRJC campus

     Cost:  FREE

     Listen as Joe Smith, Senior SBA Loan Officer for Sonoma Bank, discusses how and what you need to apply for an SBA Loan. This is your opportunity to ask as many questions as you want and Joe will be prepared to answer.

FUTURE "ASK THE EXPERT" SESSIONS   

     11/12 - Managing Small Business Computer Systems

     11/19 - Closing Sales

Sponsored by the California Small Business Development Center at Santa Rosa Junior College. For more information, call (707) 524-1770 or 1-888-346-SBDC (7232) or visit http://sbdcsantarosa.org/



UPCOMING FREE CHAMBER BREAKFAST!

Cotati Chamber Breakfast Meeting

Thurs. 11/18

7:30 - 8:30 am

Friar Tuck's Pub, 8201 Old Redwood Hwy., Cotati

Topic:  Cotati Sculpture Project - Sharing the Pride in Our Community and Encouraging Economic Development
Breakfast buffet includes chicken fried steak, gravy, corned beef hash, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns, fruit - FREE (thanks to a generous donation from Cheryl Nixon, owner of Friar Tuck's Pub)

RSVP by Tues. 11/16 to 707-795-5508 or [email protected] (so we can know how many are coming)


SAVE THESE DATES - COTATI HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

FOUR NIGHTS OF FESTIVE FUN

Wed. 12/1, 6 p.m. - HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING

     Gather in La Plaza Park for carols and tree lighting, then go to the Cotati Fire Station for a   visit from Santa Claus, holiday treats & music.

Thurs. 12/2, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. - HOLIDAY CHEER 

     Stroll to participating downtown bars for holiday drink specials & complimentary appetizers (21 and older please). Sing-along caroling between locations!

Fri. 12/3, 7 - 9 p.m. - CANDLELIGHT CONCERT

     A free holiday concert sponsored by and held at Church of the Oaks

Sat. 12/4, 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. - ELEGANT EVENING

     Shop in our unique local businesses in downtown Cotati, sample gourmet treats & wine, listen to holiday carolers, visit with Santa at Exchange Bank, and enjoy FREE horse & carriage rides in and around downtown Cotati.

     For more information, call 707-795-5508 or email [email protected].



NEW THEATER PRODUCTION

Alice: The Rebellion of Wonderland

11/12-14, 11/18-21, 11/26-28

All shows start at 8 pm, except Sundays at 5 pm

Spreckels Performing Arts Center, 5409 Snyder Ln., Rohnert Park

Narrow Way Stage Company proudly presents Alice: The Rebellion of Wonderland, a dark, magical, zany retelling of Alice, as a thirteen year old, escaping from her verbally abusive family into the familiar landscape of Wonderland. Unbeknownst to Alice, Wonderland has fallen under neglect and its inhabitants have lost their favorite objects to the Queen. As she tumbles again down the rabbit hole, Alice will face more than just a rude caterpillar, a pair of idiotic Tweedles and a newly revised Tea Party....she will figure out how how to stop the Queen from taking the most precious items away from them and help to restore Wonderland to its former glory.

Cost:$15 Full; $10 Senior/Student; Thursday night is Pay-What-You-Can.
Box Office: (707) 588-3400 
For more info contact: John Browning at (707) 364-4934



COSTCO HOLIDAY PREVIEW

Sat. 11/13 & Sun. 11/14

9 - 11:30 am

Costco Rohnert Park

Costco Wholesale invites you to join us for a holiday preview. Enjoy brunch on us! New non-members with an Executive sign up will receive a $20 cash card! Existing members who refer a friend will receive a $10 cash card! Come early to view our holiday merchandise.

Costco Rohnert Park - 707-540-9113



COTATI HISTORY NIGHT
Wed. 11/17
7 pm

Cotati Room, 216 E. School St. (behind Cotati City Hall)
Topic: How, When and Why Did Cotati Incorporate?
Featuring a conversation among early Cotati residents, answering questions such as:
 - Why did Cotati and Rohnert Park form separate cities?
 - What were the communities like back in 1962 & 63?
 - Why do Cotati's boundaries zigzag so much?
Speakers: Dr. Bill Kortum, Dr. Fred Groverman, Prue Draper, Louise Roberts Steacy, & other Cotati "Old-Timers"
Public Invited ~ Questions Welcome ~ Free Admission ~ Refreshments
Sponsored by the Cotati Historical Society - the Cotati Historical Museum will be open for browsing before and after the program.
For information, go to www.cotatihistoricalsociety.org or [email protected].


SAVE MONEY & WATER

     Now that the rain has settled in for Sonoma County, take the opportunity to review your water bills from the dry season months.  If you would like to reduce your costs, consider removing turf.  Seize savings for next summer with the following tools: 

     How much turf should you remove? Try the Business Environmental Alliance's new Turf Calculator to determine the planting mix you need to meet Sonoma County landscape efficiency requirements.

You could get paid to remove your grass!  Visit our Sustainability Toolkit for information on rebates and other opportunities for savings through landscape efficiency.

     For more information about landscape water use or the Business Environmental Alliance, email [email protected] or call Sarah McKibben, Project Coordinator, at (707) 565-7257.



LATEST ECONOMIC REPORTS FOR SONOMA COUNTY

Here's the electronic version from the Sonoma County Economic Development Board of the new Sonoma County Indicators of Community and Economic Vitality:

http://www.sonoma-county.org/edb/pdf/2010/spring_indicators_2010b.pdf

Excellent complementary information with a health focus is available electronically at www.healthysonoma.org, which is produced by the Sonoma County Health Services Department.

For more information, contact the SCEDB at 707-565-7170 or

http://www.sonoma-county.org/edb/index.htm.



GUIDED HIKE AT TOLAY PARK
Sun. 11/14
10 am
Tolay Lake Regional Park, Petaluma

     Enjoy the crisp autumn air and changing colors on a 2-hour staff-led hike at Tolay Lake Regional Park in Petaluma on Sunday, November 14 starting at 10:00 am. Hike from the ranch up to the west ridge to enjoy the views and learn about this incredible property and the Day Use Permit Program.

     You are advised to wear sturdy boots, long sleeves and long pants on this hike. Bring a hat and sun screen. Please bring adequate water and food for your party, as these will not be provided. Walking sticks or trekking poles are useful. Although children are welcome on the tours, please note that the terrain on the walk is too rugged for most strollers. Dogs allowed on 6' leash. Note: tall grass may contain fox tails. This moderately-difficult hike will last approximately two hours. A restroom will be available at the starting location of the hike.

     Hiking tours allow a limited number of participants, and reservations are mandatory. Please call the Regional Parks Special Events Hotline at (707) 565-2730 to make a reservation, and leave a message including: name, phone number, email address (or mailing address), number of people in your vehicle. Inclement weather will cancel the tour. A message with information regarding the current status of the tour (to go on as scheduled, or not) will be available on the Hotline (707) 565-2730 the morning of the tour. Hike route may be changed based on flood conditions. Parking fee is $6 per car, or free with Annual Park Pass.

     For more information, call Regional Parks' main office at (707) 565-2041.



"DOCTORS WITH A HEART" TO BENEFIT COTS

    Dr. Venus Ann Maher, a chiropractic physician, whose clinic is located at 525 E. Cotati Ave. Suite 115 will be proudly providing service free of charge on Friday, November 19th for Doctors With A Heart Day. Traditionally this occurs on one day only, which for existing patients will be November 19th. However due to a need that cannot be met in one day, new patients will receive a  free history, examination and first treatment when they schedule any time in the month of November.

    Dr. Maher has been providing service to Sonoma County for 20 years. While all adjustments are free on that day, optional donations will be accepted for COTS - Committee on the Shelterless.  Doctors With a Heart Day is a day of free health care to members of the community. During regular business hours, on selected days, participating doctors provide service at no charge. Services are by appointment only. An optional donation for the local charity COTS is requested. COTS offers help and hope to homeless persons in Sonoma County by providing safe shelter and housing.

   Appointments for Doctors With A Heart on November 19th may be made by calling (707) 792-0202. You can also visit Maher Chiropractic at www.maherchiro.com.



SHOPPER STOPPER IN SAN FRANCISCO

Sat. 11/20

8:30 am - Pick up in Santa Rosa from the Park & Ride under the freeway between the Vets Bldg & the Fairgrounds

8:45 am - Pick up in Petaluma at the Park & Ride

Join employees of Exchange Bank and the County of Sonoma in a Shopping Trip to San Francisco. They will tentatively be visiting Porter's (in San Rafael), Silver Jewelry, The Flower Mart, Gail's, & Saloman's. Lots of fun - be with a busload of "serious shoppers" for a day of fun! $35 per person - make checks payable to "Shopper Stoppers" and drop off to Paula at Exchange Bank Cotati. Any questions, call Paula at 795-5482.


Want your business news to be included in this email blast? Send your info to [email protected] and we'll do our best to include you.
 


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.

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